By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia Revenue Authority collected more than D25.3 billion in taxes in 2025, exceeding its annual revenue target despite economic headwinds, the authority’s commissioner general, Yankuba Darboe, said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Mr. Darboe said the figure represents a nominal increase of 21 percent over the previous year, attributing the growth to stronger compliance measures, ongoing tax reforms, and the expansion of digital systems designed to simplify tax administration.
“GRA managed to achieve its annual revenue target; the Authority collected over D25.3 billion,” Mr. Darboe said. “This performance represents a nominal growth of 21% when compared to last year’s revenue performance.”
According to Mr. Darboe, the telecommunications, banking, trade, and petroleum sectors were the largest contributors to national revenue. He said higher digital service usage, broader financial inclusion, and improvements in import and export processes had driven gains in those sectors.
He pointed to the rollout of information technology systems—including electronic invoicing and a Rental Compliance System—as key to improving transparency and reducing revenue leakages. The authority, he added, plans to adopt data analytics and artificial intelligence to further strengthen tax compliance.
“We are looking forward to embracing data analytics and artificial intelligence to further improve compliance,” he said.
Mr. Darboe also highlighted governance reforms within the authority, noting that the creation of an Internal Affairs Unit had led to the adoption of policies on gifts, conflicts of interest, and whistleblowing. “Since the establishment of our Internal Affairs Unit, we have implemented policies on gifts, conflicts of interest, and whistleblowing, ensuring accountability across the Authority,” he said.
He urged businesses operating outside the formal tax system to regularize their activities, saying the authority was prepared to assist them through the process. “We encourage businesses outside the tax net to formalize their operations, and we are willing to support their transition with guidance and resources,” he said.
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