However, the MOU, according to officials, represents more than just a transactional agreement; it is a reflection of their shared commitment to national development, institutional collaboration and the modernisation of financial systems in the country.
At the signing ceremony, Njilan Senghore, managing director of Trust Bank Plc, said the bank remains proud to supporting the government’s ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing public financial management and improving efficiency in revenue collection.
“One of the key shifts we are witnessing is the strategic move away from manual cash handling within the public institutions. And quite frankly, cash handing is what banks are built for and great at. We are therefore very happy to take on this responsibility and in doing so, help the GRA focus more on its core mandate of compliance and enforcement.”
Through this partnership, she said, they will facilitate direct payment of tax and customs revenue in a secure, transparent and timely manner.
MD Senghore disclosed that all the 18 Trust Bank branches spread across the country will be made available to the paying public, ensuring broad access and convenience for taxpayers, whether they are based in urban centres or rural Gambia.
“We fully embrace the responsibility entrusted to us under this agreement from enabling real time transaction reporting to maintaining strong reconciliation processes and we commit to execute them with the professionalism, integrity and excellence that Trust Bank Pls is known for.”
She pointed out that as they move forward, they see this collaboration not just as an agreement between two institutions, but as a model of public-private partnership-serving the wider goal of building a stronger and more digitally enabled Gambia.
On behalf of the Bank board, management and staff of the bank, MD Senghore extends sincere thanks to the Commissioner General and the entire team at the Gambia Revenue Authority for the trust and confidence reposed in them.
For his part, Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, described the event as the start of a dynamic relationship aimed at enhancing efficiency, service delivery and ultimately national development.
“As we celebrate countless significant achievements in our tireless efforts in the enhancement of revenue collection through the use of yet another commercial bank, this signifies another milestone testament to the power of collaboration.”
Commissioner Darboe described revenue collection as the backbone of any economy, adding that it ensures government and institutions have the necessary resources to provide essential services, invest in infrastructure and drive sustainable development.
By partnering with the bank, Commissioner Darboe believes, they’ve not only strengthened their collection mechanism but also improved convenience, transparency and accountability in the process.
The success, GRA CG pointed out, would not have been without the dedication of their financial partners, who he said, would provide a secure, reliable and assessable platform for revenue collection.
“Your investment in our digital solution, branch network and customer service will streamline the payment process, reduce the risk of cash handling, reduce inefficiencies and minimise revenue leakages for the authority.”
He added: “We are with the conviction that this partnership would improve accessibility for our esteem tax payers through the availability of multiple banking channels including online banking, bank branches, making the process more efficient and inclusive. It will also enhance transparency with the automated and real time reporting, this will minimise and increase accountability in revenue collection.”
CG Darboe reminded that as a revenue authority, they are constantly seeking innovative ways to make tax administration more seamless transparent and accessible, further expressing optimism that this partnership will create opportunity, foster economic progress and positively impact the communities they serve.
Their collaboration with the bank, he said, reflects a shared vision of tax system that is efficient, tax-payer friendly and digitally integrated, adding that as they celebrate this success let them look ahead and explore innovative
“We must continue to leverage technology, enhance compliance measures and explore innovative financial solutions to sustain and improve revenue collection further. Together, we can build a more efficient and resilient financial ecosystem that benefit all.”
The ceremony was witnessed by senior officials of both institutions.
