By: Fatou Krubally
In a detailed presentation to the National Assembly of The Gambia, the government unveiled its 2026 fiscal plan anchored on ambitious revenue growth, targeted investment in human development, and a looming debt-service burden.
The budget projects total receipts of D59,361,095,000 (Dalasi ’000s) for 2026, up from D52,980,894,000 in 2025. Of this, tax revenue is expected to grow sharply — for example, taxes on goods and services are forecast at 42.25 % of revenue, and customs/import duties at 26.52 %. At the same time, non-tax revenue contributes 16.12 % under the current breakdown.
Grants are set to increase to D18,083,937,000, while domestic borrowing of D7,618,195,000 and foreign borrowing of D1,456,161,000 are included among funding sources. On the expenditure side, funding of D59,361,094,416 will cover both recurrent costs and development outlays.
The Minister of Finance, Seedy Keita, stressed that tax revenue alone will fuel the increase, pointing to improved collection systems, digital tax tools, and enhanced compliance. Still, debt-servicing costs remain a significant drag: the budget allocates D13.46 billion (in Government Local Funds) just to meet obligations — roughly one-third of total expenditure by some estimates.
Strong support is earmarked for human-capital sectors: education, health, and agriculture together account for D10.82 billion — or about one quarter of GLF spending. Agriculture alone will see an 84 % jump in allocation, signalling a push towards food security and rural development.
For everyday Gambians, the implications are mixed. A greater tax burden and increased borrowing underscore constraints. But upgraded investments in key public services offer hope. What remains to be watched is whether the revenue-raising steps succeed, if spending remains disciplined, and whether debt obligations can be contained without compromising growth.
This budget thus sits at a crossroads: whether The Gambia can transition from reliance on grants and borrowing to a more self-reliant fiscal path, or risk stagnation under rising debt and locked-in expenditures.
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By: Fatou Krubally In a detailed presentation to the National Assembly of The Gambia, the government unveiled its 2026 fiscal…
The post Gambia’s 2026 Budget Eyes D59.4 bn with Major Tax Surge and Debt Pressure appeared first on .
