By Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has been tasked with collecting D27.5 billion in revenue for 2026, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe said, stressing that the figure is not an imposed target.
Darboe made the remarks yesterday during a press conference reviewing the Authority’s 2025 performance, a year in which GRA surpassed its annual revenue target despite economic challenges.
The Authority collected over D25.3 billion in 2025, representing a 21 percent nominal increase compared to the previous year. Darboe attributed the growth to improved compliance measures, ongoing tax administration reforms, and expanded use of digital systems.
“The task before us is always to mobilise revenue, but this has to be done in a way that is fair, realistic and responsive to the economic environment,” he said.
Key achievements in 2025 included the rollout of taxpayer education and outreach programmes, the introduction of electronic invoicing for VAT and other taxes, the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), Revenue Assurance Regulations for Mobile Network Operators, and the first phase of the Rental Compliance System in October.
Sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, trade, and petroleum contributed most to national revenue. Growth in telecommunications was linked to increased digital usage, banking gains to rising financial inclusion and fintech expansion, and petroleum revenue to higher import volumes, reduced fuel subsidies, and fuel marking.
Darboe also noted improvements in trade following reforms such as ASYCUDA World, electronic tracking of transit cargo, digital weighbridges, drive-through scanners, the single-window platform, and digital excise stamps.
Despite the gains, Darboe acknowledged challenges remain, including making the tax system more equitable, widening compliance across all taxpayer categories, and completing GRA’s digital transformation.
He said the Authority is committed to balancing revenue mobilisation with protecting businesses and citizens from unnecessary burden. Looking ahead, reforms such as ITAS, e-invoicing, and telecom revenue assurance are expected to deepen digitalisation and improve service delivery.
As the country enters an election year, Darboe urged Gambians to maintain peace, noting that “elections come and go, but The Gambia remains.”
