The Gambia Revenue Authority head, Yankuba Darboe, just shared some big news about their digital tax stamps. These smart stamps have almost completely wiped out the smuggling of taxable goods, cutting illegal imports by 95 percent. This digital system helped GRA collect a record-breaking D19.2 billion in taxes during 2024, showing how technology can boost government income without raising tax rates for honest businesses.
GRA started using these digital stamps last March to track products with special QR codes. The system lets tax officials instantly verify which products paid proper taxes. Before these digital stamps came along, the market overflowed with illegal goods that honest companies couldn't compete against. The cheaper smuggled products made life hard for legitimate businesses trying to play by the rules.
Mr. Darboe explained that everything changed once the digital tracking began. Legal producers can finally sell their products without unfair competition from tax cheats. The government earns millions more from properly taxed imports, and consumers receive safer, legitimate products. Everyone wins except the smugglers, who used to skip paying their fair share of taxes for national development.
The government stood firmly behind the GRA when some people resisted the new system. Finance Minister Seedy Keita praised the technology provided by SICPA, pointing out how it gives tax officials real-time data about local production. The system clearly shows which products paid proper taxes versus illegal imports. This protects honest businesses and helps consumers avoid fake or dangerous products that might harm their health.
GRA started using these digital stamps last March to track products with special QR codes. The system lets tax officials instantly verify which products paid proper taxes. Before these digital stamps came along, the market overflowed with illegal goods that honest companies couldn't compete against. The cheaper smuggled products made life hard for legitimate businesses trying to play by the rules.
Mr. Darboe explained that everything changed once the digital tracking began. Legal producers can finally sell their products without unfair competition from tax cheats. The government earns millions more from properly taxed imports, and consumers receive safer, legitimate products. Everyone wins except the smugglers, who used to skip paying their fair share of taxes for national development.
The government stood firmly behind the GRA when some people resisted the new system. Finance Minister Seedy Keita praised the technology provided by SICPA, pointing out how it gives tax officials real-time data about local production. The system clearly shows which products paid proper taxes versus illegal imports. This protects honest businesses and helps consumers avoid fake or dangerous products that might harm their health.
