Digital Tax Reform Transforms Gambia's Revenue Collection.
The Gambia has made big strides in tax collection through new digital tools. The changes came after Yankuba Darboe took charge of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) as Commissioner General.
The GRA brought in new computer systems in 2018. These helped them work better and faster. A key success was the ASYCUDA World system in 2022. They also added a Single Window and Digital Tax Stamps for certain goods.
These new tools helped GRA reach a record high of D19.2 billion in taxes for 2024. The Digital Tax Stamp alone brought in D100 million this year, up from D15 million last year. That means D85 million more than before.
The African Development Bank provided money for the ASYCUDA World project. This system makes trade easier and faster, helps different agencies work together better, and provides better information for making trade choices.
People around the world have noticed GRA's success, and at a recent meeting in Banjul, Gambian, and Senegalese business agencies awarded them the title of best-performing group in The Gambia.
Mr. Darboe started as a customs officer and worked his way up to lead GRA in 2014. He runs tax groups in West Africa and serves on African tax boards. His work has improved GRA's ability to collect money and help people.
In a recent talk, Mr. Darboe shared his thoughts on the new digital systems. He said they faced some push-back at first. But the stamps help stop wrong reports about goods and catch smugglers. They can check stores and see right away if goods have proper stamps.
The changes have worked well. GRA hit its yearly goal in just eleven months. Mr. Darboe says these improvements will continue to help Gambia grow on its own money.
Mr. Darboe thanked many people for this success. He praised the government for their help with new rules. He thanked his staff for working hard. Most of all, he thanked taxpayers. He said their money helps keep the country safe and build new things. He hopes they stay healthy and do well, which helps GRA collect more taxes to make Gambia better.
The Gambia has made big strides in tax collection through new digital tools. The changes came after Yankuba Darboe took charge of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) as Commissioner General.
The GRA brought in new computer systems in 2018. These helped them work better and faster. A key success was the ASYCUDA World system in 2022. They also added a Single Window and Digital Tax Stamps for certain goods.
These new tools helped GRA reach a record high of D19.2 billion in taxes for 2024. The Digital Tax Stamp alone brought in D100 million this year, up from D15 million last year. That means D85 million more than before.
The African Development Bank provided money for the ASYCUDA World project. This system makes trade easier and faster, helps different agencies work together better, and provides better information for making trade choices.
People around the world have noticed GRA's success, and at a recent meeting in Banjul, Gambian, and Senegalese business agencies awarded them the title of best-performing group in The Gambia.
Mr. Darboe started as a customs officer and worked his way up to lead GRA in 2014. He runs tax groups in West Africa and serves on African tax boards. His work has improved GRA's ability to collect money and help people.
In a recent talk, Mr. Darboe shared his thoughts on the new digital systems. He said they faced some push-back at first. But the stamps help stop wrong reports about goods and catch smugglers. They can check stores and see right away if goods have proper stamps.
The changes have worked well. GRA hit its yearly goal in just eleven months. Mr. Darboe says these improvements will continue to help Gambia grow on its own money.
Mr. Darboe thanked many people for this success. He praised the government for their help with new rules. He thanked his staff for working hard. Most of all, he thanked taxpayers. He said their money helps keep the country safe and build new things. He hopes they stay healthy and do well, which helps GRA collect more taxes to make Gambia better.
