The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has underscored its commitment to digital transformation at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB), which concluded in Abidjan.
The summit, brought together policymakers, financiers, and development experts from across the continent to discuss Africa’s economic development. Leading The Gambia’s delegation was Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy Keita, accompanied by Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy, First Deputy Governor Dr. Abdoulie Jallow, and senior officials from both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.
General Yankuba Darboe, was joined by Deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow and Director of Technical Services Yahya Manneh. Darboe participated in a key knowledge-sharing panel on “Harnessing Technology for Domestic Resource Mobilization in Africa,” where he shared The Gambia’s journey toward modernizing revenue collection.
Darboe highlighted the successful upgrade of the ASYCUDA system from version 2.7 to ASYCUDA++ and later to ASYCUDA World in 2022 describing how the system has improved trade revenue collection and efficiency at border posts and ports.
Also detailing several digital initiatives, including the National Single Window for trade documentation, e-tracking systems for transit cargo, digital weighbridges at Banjul Seaport, optical character recognition systems for container processing, digital tax stamps, and a fuel marking system. Noting, that these reforms have enhanced transparency, accountability, and revenue collection.
Darboe called on African governments to prioritize domestic resource mobilization, stressing that dependence on external aid is no longer sustainable. He emphasized the need for strong political will, warning that reforms often face resistance from vested interests.
Mr. Sidi Ould Tah is AfDB President, succeeding Akinwumi Adesina after his ten-year tenure.
