By: Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has unveiled a comprehensive draft strategy aimed at transforming border operations to promote efficient trade and economic growth.
Speaking Tuesday at a stakeholder forum held at Senegambia Hotel, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe said the 2025–2029 Coordinated Border Management (CBM) strategy reflected the government’s recognition of border efficiency as a national trade facilitation priority.
“The goal is to improve inter-agency coordination, reduce delays, and align our processes with global standards,” Darboe said, adding that the new strategy will help reduce trade costs and improve the country’s international competitiveness.
The initiative is part of a broader collaboration between The Gambia and the World Customs Organization (WCO) under its Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which has supported the country since 2021 in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Areas of focus include CBM, Time Release Studies, Authorized Economic Operators, and customs performance measurement.
Darboe acknowledged that between six and ten agencies operate at various entry points including Customs, Immigration, Agriculture, Livestock, the Police, and the Food Safety and Quality Authority often with overlapping roles and inefficient procedures.
He says GRA has identified four priority areas needing capacity support: standardizing operating procedures across agencies, drafting SOPs for CBM, harmonizing data systems for better exchange, and creating an integrated risk management framework.
Meanwhile, From April 7 to May 8, representatives from border and regulatory agencies participated in virtual training sessions led by WCO experts from Zambia, Eswatini, and Namibia. The result was a Draft Inter-Agency Standard Operating Framework on CBM, which outlines clear responsibilities, inspection procedures, fee collection mechanisms, and guidelines for expedited clearance of perishable and hazardous goods.
The framework also designates GRA as the lead agency in coordinating all border operations. According to GRA, once the draft is finalized, the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) Secretariat will support its full rollout across all ports of entry.
The reforms are expected to enhance transparency, improved service delivery and make The Gambia a more attractive destination for trade and investment.
