In preparation for the population and housing census for Samoa planned in November 2021, Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) are conducting the household listing and mapping update for both Upolu and Savaii. Together with the government's second stimulus package, SBS/MoF are also offering $50 for each citizen that will be registered. The aim is to implement the development of the National ID project and provide financial relief during the covid-19 pandemic to its citizens.

This undertaking and major data collection is part of the governments plan for a digital national ID system which is intended to make public services more accessible to citizens in the near future. The census is intended to cover both Upolu and Savaii through a collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.

Samoa Audit Office contribution to the census is to provide assistance under our pre-audit function. Teams involved are to observe the controls around handling of cash and actual payouts given alongside with official documentation to verify identities  for the national ID project. The initiative has been ongoing for about four weeks now.