By Fatou Krubally &Haddy Touray
The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, on Saturday said the country’s annual taxpayers’ award ceremony represents a reaffirmation of The Gambia’s vision to finance its development through strong domestic resource mobilization and reduce dependence on external aid.
Speaking at the 8th edition of the GRA Annual Taxpayers’ Award Ceremony, Darboe said the country was facing evolving global economic realities, including declining aid, external shocks and increasing development demands, making domestic revenue mobilisation central to national development.
He said the Gambia Revenue Authority had embarked on an ambitious modernization and digitalization programme aimed at expanding the tax base, improving transparency, blocking revenue leakages and enhancing efficiency in service delivery.
According to him, revenue collection by the Authority increased from about D2.8 billion in 2006, following the merger of the former Customs and Excise Department and the Central Revenue Department, to D25.3 billion by the end of 2025.
“In 2025, the Authority collected D25.3 billion against an annual target of D22.98 billion, exceeding the target by 10 percent,” Darboe said.
He added that the performance represented a 21 percent increase over the 2024 fiscal year, equivalent to an additional D4.5 billion in revenue, with both the Customs and Excise Department and the Domestic Taxes Department recording strong growth.
Darboe further disclosed that in the first quarter of 2026, the Authority collected D7.71 billion, surpassing its target by 3 percent and registering a 14 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
He noted that March 2026 marked a historic milestone for the Authority, with more than D3 billion collected in a single month for the first time since the establishment of the GRA.
The Commissioner General attributed the gains to reforms and digitalisation initiatives rather than increases in tax rates.
Among the reforms highlighted were the implementation of the ASYCUDA World system in 2022, the introduction of digital tax stamps for excisable goods, an electronic tracking system for transit cargo, a Single Window customs clearance platform, a fuel integrity solution and the installation of a digital weighbridge at the Port.
Darboe said the Authority was also implementing additional initiatives, including a revenue assurance system for the telecommunications sector, an Integrated Tax Administration System to facilitate electronic registration, filing and payment, an Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Smart Invoicing System for VAT, and a Digital Rental Income Compliance Solution.
He expressed confidence that the combined effect of the reforms would expand the tax base and ensure sustainable growth in government revenue.
The Commissioner General thanked the Government, taxpayers, development partners and stakeholders for supporting the Authority’s reform agenda and improving voluntary tax compliance across the country.
He particularly acknowledged President Adama Barrow for consistently promoting tax compliance and domestic resource mobilisation as essential tools for national development.
Darboe also commended Finance Minister Seedy Keita, the GRA Board of Directors and the Authority’s staff for their contributions to the institution’s achievements.
He said the Ministry of Finance had set a new revenue collection target of D28.1 billion for 2026, assuring taxpayers that the Authority remained committed to achieving the objective.
Darboe urged all taxpayers to continue complying voluntarily with their tax obligations, stressing that taxes remain vital for financing roads, schools, hospitals, public services and other national development priorities.
He said the award ceremony was intended not only to recognise compliant taxpayers but also to encourage others to regularise their tax affairs and contribute to national development.