The event that was meant to recognise and honour most taxpayer institutions and individuals was held at Coco Ocean Hotel with Africell Gambia Ltd. maintaining its position as the biggest taxpayer.
In his welcoming remarks, GRA's Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe said this event has become a cornerstone of GRA’s calendar with the purpose to annually celebrate and recognise most compliant taxpayers, particularly those who consistently file and pay their taxes on time.
He added that these are the ones who present authentic customs declarations while complying with relevant provisions of the revenue laws.
He thanked the president of the Gambia for presiding over the GRA 7th Taxpayers Award Celebration.
CG Darboe described the Taxpayers Award Ceremony as more than just an event. "It is a vital platform to recognise, appreciate and celebrate the exceptional efforts of individuals and businesses, both large and small, who have demonstrated outstanding compliance and contributed significantly to our nation's revenue collection. These contributions are the lifeblood of our economy, enabling the government to provide essential services, build infrastructure, and create opportunities for all Gambians."
"As a developing economy, The Gambia faces a dual challenge; declining external aid and unsustainable debt levels. These constraints demand that we rethink traditional approaches and prioritise self-reliance. Domestic resource mobilisation is no longer a choice, it is an imperative for financing development, reducing inequality and security for the future of our nation," he emphasised.
According to the GRA boss, in terms of revenue performance for the 2024 financial year, the GRA was tasked by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs to collect the sum of D19.2 billion, a significant increase from the D15.79 billion revenue target in 2023 .
"I am happy to announce that as at 31 December 2024, the Authority collected over D20.83 billion, surpassing the target by 8% or an absolute variance of over D1.8 billion."
"When compared to the 2023 revenue performance, the Authority recorded a nominal growth of 32%. In absolute terms, the 2024 revenue performance reflects a growth of over D5 billion from the previous year."
CG Darboe underlined that it's important to emphasise that this remarkable performance was not achieved through an increase in tax rates, which has remained constant for almost a decade now, rather, the revenue performance was as a result of strategic reforms and initiatives aimed at widening the tax base, improving compliance, and enhancing efficiency through the digitalisation of systems and processes.
CG Darboe said that the Authority was working hard to improve the taxpayers engagement and service delivery. "We will do our utmost best to enhance our services in the coming months and years."
He also revealed that GRA was tasked to collect about D23 billion in 2025, averaging almost D2 billion per month. "The pressure of meeting monthly and annual targets is immense but I am confident that with the support of the board, management and the entire staff of the Authority, we will rise to the challenge. We are hopeful in meeting this target because many of our ongoing reforms will yield significant dividends in 2025 and beyond."
Mr. Ernest Aubee, a retired civil servant and a former teacher of CG Darboe, commented on the revenue performance registered by GRA, saying all was due to visionary leadership
