By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia’s government-funded expenditure for 2027 is projected at D41.05 billion, a 12.5 percent increase from the 2026 budget, according to the 2027–2029 Programme-Based Budget.
“In line with the envisaged resource envelope, total Government expenditure (GLF) for 2027 is projected at GMD 41.05 billion,” the budget document states. “Relative to 2026, the 2027 budget is projected to grow by 12.50 percent.”
The government identified debt service, personnel-related costs, the use of goods and services, and subsidies and transfers as the major drivers of expenditure in 2027.
As spending increases, the government says it plans to tighten expenditure controls and strengthen cash management to ensure spending remains aligned with available resources. The measures are intended to limit the diversion of funds from priority areas and prevent the accumulation of arrears.
The government also plans to make public spending more performance-driven by aligning expenditures more closely with national development priorities. Strengthening Programme-Based Budgeting, it says, is expected to shift budget discussions from how much money is spent to the results achieved with those resources.
Officials say the approach is intended to improve spending efficiency and strengthen accountability across government.
The budget also outlines measures to control spending on subvented agencies, including the rationalization and restructuring of such institutions. Quarterly headcounts and payroll data-cleaning exercises will be conducted to identify and address irregularities.
“This is expected to control the pressure coming from subvented institutions,” the document states.
Under the new measures, all board-approved payrolls for subvented institutions will require clearance from the Personnel Management Office. The Accountant General’s Department will also conduct quarterly reviews of the institutions’ account balances.
The government further plans to strengthen the monitoring and reporting of public funds and government projects, saying the framework will improve oversight and provide greater visibility into how public resources are spent.
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