By: Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on Monday opened a five-day technical assistance mission on transfer pricing aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to tackle tax avoidance and illicit financial flows involving multinational companies.
The training, organised in collaboration with the African Tax Administration Forum and the World Bank Group, is taking place at the Senegambia Beach Hotel from 18th to 22nd May 2026.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe described transfer pricing as one of the most complex and rapidly evolving areas of international taxation, stressing the need for The Gambia to proactively strengthen its tax administration systems.
He said the mission forms part of GRA’s broader efforts to build institutional and technical capacity in monitoring cross-border commercial transactions and ensuring companies operating in the country pay their fair share of taxes.
“While The Gambia may still be at an early stage in this area, it is important that we position ourselves proactively to address the evolving realities of the global tax environment,” Darboe said.
According to him, sectors such as banking, telecommunications, shipping and other multinational business activities are increasingly exposing the country to transfer pricing-related risks.
Transfer pricing generally refers to the pricing of transactions between related companies operating across different countries, an area tax authorities worldwide monitor closely due to concerns over profit shifting and tax base erosion.
Deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow said modern tax administration requires highly specialised skills to detect aggressive tax planning and revenue leakages associated with multinational corporations.
He noted that the authority has over the years invested heavily in staff capacity development and technological innovations to improve tax administration and domestic revenue mobilisation.
“We want to make sure everybody pays the correct amount of taxes whether resident or non-resident,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Commissioner of Tax Audit Ebou Jallow said the training will help officers strengthen their understanding of transfer pricing audits, risk assessments and case selection.
Alagie Jallow, Director of Tax and Revenue at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, described illicit financial flows and transfer mispricing as major threats to domestic revenue mobilisation across Africa.
ATAF Transfer Pricing Specialist Betty Ahwera revealed that Africa loses billions of dollars annually through illicit financial flows linked to transfer mispricing.
She said the workshop would focus on practical case studies, audit simulations and strengthening the country’s legal and administrative framework on transfer pricing.
The training is expected to equip GRA officials with the technical skills needed to conduct transfer pricing audits and improve compliance among multinational businesses operating in The Gambia.
Officials said the long-term objective is to establish a specialised transfer pricing unit within the GRA to oversee compliance, audits and risk assessments on a sustained basis.
About the Author
