NCRA DG Speaks On Harmonization & Improvement Of Statistics In West Africa

Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Mr. Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI, took centre stage as a speaker at the High-Level Policy Engagement and Advocacy Meeting on the Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA). This event, culminated in the celebration of World Population Day 2025 held from July 9-11, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal. Organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO), in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), and the World Bank, the summit gathers experts and leaders to advance Statistical Systems across the Region. Mr. MASSAQUOI shared his experiences and insights as a leader and expert in managing Sierra Leone’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and ID Management Systems, which encompass both citizens and non-citizen residents, including children from birth. Invited as a distinguished authority on CRVS systems in Africa, his participation reflects not only his personal achievements but also the unwavering political will and commitment of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to supporting Civil Registration and building a data-driven, progressive Sierra Leone with technology at its core.
Under Mr. MASSAQUOI’s dynamic leadership, the NCRA has become a beacon of innovation in Sierra Leone, revolutionizing the country’s CRVS and ID Systems—from humble beginnings to a globally recognized model. As he emphasized during his statement in Session 2 of the High-Level Conference, he called for Governments to demonstrate commitment to effective and workable CRVS systems, noting that strong data requires strong Political will – a principle he re-echoed alongside the critical need for robust Development Partner Cooperation and Collaboration with Government. His relentless dedication has transformed how Sierra Leone Registers and Manages Vital Events throughout a person’s life Cycle, from Birth to Death – ensuring that Births, Deaths, Marriages, and other key Events are accurately Recorded and Accounted for. By introducing cutting-edge digital technologies, DG MASSAQUOI has streamlined Civil Registration Services and Processes, making them more Inclusive and Accessible, particularly for rural and marginalized communities, ensuring no one is left behind. This has significantly reduced unregistered populations, achieving approximately 93% Registration Coverage, enabling every citizen and vital event to be accounted for and providing access to essential services such as Education, Healthcare, Social Protection, and Financial Inclusion.
Mr. MASSAQUOI’s leadership has also fortified Sierra Leone’s national Identity System, positioning the country as a Regional leader in CRVS and ID Services. During the conference, he showered enormous praise on President Bio, challenging Partner Organizations – the UN, AU, ECOWAS, and others to identify any Leader across the Continent who has shown greater Commitment to CRVS and ID Management. He argued that none exist – a position justified by the fact that President Bio is the only leader in Africa to have incorporated every Development System into the CRVS and ID Management framework – from Employment to Healthcare, Education, Financial Services, and beyond, including using NCRA data as the Primary Source for creating a Voter Register to ensure Free, Credible, and Fair Elections. Only in Sierra Leone, under the Leadership of President Bio, can you witness such a spectacular display of Leadership, earning praise from international partners who view Sierra Leone as a model for other nations to emulate in their national Civil Registration and ID initiatives.
DG MASSAQUOI’s invitation to speak at HISWACA is proof of his international acclaim as a champion of data systems, reflecting his ability to translate Vision into Action. By fostering Partnerships with International Organizations, he has secured Technical and Financial support to modernize Sierra Leone’s CRVS and ID infrastructure. His leadership in adopting Interoperable Systems has made Sierra Leone a case study in how Civil Registration, Identity, and Population Data can drive development, earning him invitations to high-profile platforms like HISWACA and ID4Africa. His presence in Dakar showcases Sierra Leone’s achievements and amplify the nation’s voice in shaping regional data strategies.
The summit, coincided with the World Population Day commemoration on July 11, 2025, which also featured the regional launch of the State of World Population (SWoP) 2025 report, emphasizing the critical role of demographic data in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. MASSAQUOI’s contributions does align with this theme, demonstrating how Sierra Leone’s CRVS advancements support better Population Policies. By joining leaders of National Statistical Offices, CRVS Systems, and development partners from across the region, Mr. MASSAQUOI made an input that will help shape strategies to strengthen Data Ecosystems throughout Africa.