The Gambia’s tax authority has recorded its strongest revenue performance on record, collecting more than US$346 million by the end of November 2025, with total receipts expected to rise further before the year closes, the head of the agency said.
Total revenue collections could reach around US$370 million by the end of December, Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe said.
“For 2025, the GRA was tasked to collect about US$343 million. By the end of November alone, collections had reached roughly US$346 million, already surpassing the target,” Darboe said during an interview on West Coast Radio.
“We have not even started looking at December figures yet, but looking at what is coming in, we are confident that total collections will be nothing less than about $370 million for the year,” he added.
Darboe described 2025 as a “very good year” for revenue performance, noting that inflows typically strengthen toward the end of the month and year. He said preliminary figures showed close to US$22 million collected within a short period in December.
The record performance extends a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2024, the GRA exceeded its revenue target of about US$287 million, collecting roughly US$310 million, Darboe said.
He attributed the sustained growth to reforms introduced over recent years, improved tax administration systems and stronger compliance.
Beyond revenue collection, Darboe said the authority also plays a critical role in national security, as it serves as the first point of contact at the country’s borders.
“Our core mandate is revenue collection, but we are also deeply involved in border security. Without peace and stability, we cannot do our work,” he said.
Darboe highlighted the scale of progress since reforms began in 2017, when total annual collections stood at about $118 million. By November 2025, revenues had more than tripled, he said.
Key reforms cited include the introduction of digital tax stamps, electronic fiscal receipts, value-added tax reforms, fuel marking, electronic cargo tracking, rental income platforms, and the rollout of the ASYCUDA World customs system at ports.
One major milestone in 2025 was the completion of the first phase of a rental income software platform covering Banjul and the Kanifing Municipal Council. The system uses mapping technology and government data to identify properties generating rental income.
“We realised many properties were earning income but not paying rental tax. Now every property is within our bracket,” Darboe said.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges, including poor record-keeping by businesses and deliberate under-declaration under the self-assessment tax regime. He said the GRA’s post-clearance audit unit recovered more than US$300,000 this year from undervaluation and underpayment cases.
“Just because you have filed and paid does not mean the matter is closed,” he warned, noting that the law allows the authority up to six years to audit transactions.
Darboe also cited unreliable electricity supply as a constraint, given the authority’s heavy reliance on digital systems nationwide.
On public confidence, he said trust in the tax authority had improved significantly, with independent surveys showing approval ratings of 90 to 95 percent.
He credited the gains to political will, taxpayer engagement and a stable environment.
“Businesses will not come to a country without stability,” he said. “Peace and stability are key to collecting this kind of revenue.”
