A parliamentary committee has warned that The Gambia's 2026 national budget is under significant strain from high debt repayments. The Finance and Public Accounts Committee reported that servicing the national debt consumes a substantial portion of domestic revenue, limiting funding for public services and development programs.
Committee Chairperson Alhagie S. Darbo expressed concern that debt servicing costs are crowding out vital social and productive sectors. He also highlighted a long-term risk from the government's heavy reliance on donor grants, which are projected to constitute over thirty-six percent of total revenue. The total proposed budget stands at 43.49 billion dalasis, increasing to 59.36 billion dalasis with external loans and grants included.
The committee conducted extensive reviews of spending priorities with all government ministries and agencies. These sessions resulted in several financial reallocations and corrections to persistent under-budgeting. The report identified recurring institutional inefficiencies that hinder program implementation and urged closer collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to improve fiscal planning. Lawmakers were encouraged to approve the upcoming appropriation bill with a focus on responsible resource management.
Committee Chairperson Alhagie S. Darbo expressed concern that debt servicing costs are crowding out vital social and productive sectors. He also highlighted a long-term risk from the government's heavy reliance on donor grants, which are projected to constitute over thirty-six percent of total revenue. The total proposed budget stands at 43.49 billion dalasis, increasing to 59.36 billion dalasis with external loans and grants included.
The committee conducted extensive reviews of spending priorities with all government ministries and agencies. These sessions resulted in several financial reallocations and corrections to persistent under-budgeting. The report identified recurring institutional inefficiencies that hinder program implementation and urged closer collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to improve fiscal planning. Lawmakers were encouraged to approve the upcoming appropriation bill with a focus on responsible resource management.
