Under the theme “Becoming: From Education to Limitless Opportunities,” Darboe, an economist by training, said Africa’s greatest natural resource is its people. With more than 60% of Africans under 25, he said the continent has an “extraordinary opportunity” to drive transformation through education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Demographics alone do not create prosperity. A youthful population can either become a demographic dividend or a demographic challenge. The difference lies in whether we invest in our young people and whether young people invest in themselves,” he stated.
He urged students and graduates to go beyond certificates. “Employers increasingly seek problem-solvers rather than certificate holders. They seek creativity, communication, leadership, critical thinking and digital literacy,” he said.
Darboe used the platform to explain GRA’s role in national development. He said taxation is more than revenue collection — it funds classrooms, hospitals, roads, scholarships and security.
“Taxes are not merely financial obligations, they are investments we make collectively in our country’s future,” he said. “Revenue mobilization creates the fiscal space that makes national development possible.”
He stressed that building a strong tax culture starts with education, and that paying taxes is “an act of patriotism and nation-building.” He added that empowered youth contribute directly: an employed graduate pays tax, an entrepreneur creates jobs, a modernized farmer expands output.
The Commissioner General noted that technology is changing work. With AI, automation and digital commerce, he said many jobs of the future do not yet exist.
“Do not prepare for jobs that exist today. Prepare yourselves for opportunities that will emerge tomorrow,” he told students. He encouraged youth to acquire globally competitive skills, noting that “the world is increasingly rewarding talent rather than location.”
Sharing from his own career, Darboe recounted joining Customs over three decades ago and serving in remote postings like Nyamanarr and Sare Ngai. He said patience and preparation shaped him, revealing he declined the Commissioner General position twice before accepting it.
“Never be in a hurry to arrive before you are ready. Your time will come. Prepare for it,” he advised.
In a major announcement, Darboe said GRA will, beginning in 2027, offer employment opportunities to top-performing graduates in Economics, Accounting, Computer Science and IT from recognized tertiary institutions in The Gambia.
“This initiative forms part of our long-term strategy to attract and nurture talent that will take GRA to the next level,” he said.
He encouraged job seekers to volunteer, intern, teach, learn a trade, or start a small business while building digital skills. “Use this Career Fest to interact, connect and network. You have a unique opportunity to market yourselves. Make good use of it,” he concluded.
