
The 2025 African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings concluded today in Abidjan, uniting global leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to chart Africa’s economic future. From May 26 to 30, the event served as a dynamic platform for advancing development strategies, with a strong focus on leveraging technology for economic growth. A delegation from The Gambia, including representatives from the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), made a significant impact, showcasing the nation’s strides in revenue mobilization and digital transformation.
Led by the Honorable Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Mr. Seedy Keita, the Gambian delegation included key figures such as Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jallow, Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy, First Deputy Governor Dr. Abdoulie Jallow, and other directors from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. The GRA delegation, headed by Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, alongside Deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow and Director of Technical Services Yahya Manneh, played a pivotal role in the discussions, particularly on harnessing technology for domestic resource mobilization.
Commissioner General Darboe emerged as a standout contributor during a high-profile knowledge-sharing session titled “Harnessing Technology for Domestic Resource Mobilization in Africa.” He outlined The Gambia’s transformative journey in modernizing its revenue administration, spotlighting the successful upgrade of the ASYCUDA system from version 2.7 to ASYCUDA++ and, ultimately, to ASYCUDA World in 2022. This digital overhaul has significantly boosted revenue from international trade while enhancing efficiency at border posts and ports.

Darboe detailed several innovative digital initiatives spearheaded by the GRA, including the National Single Window for streamlined trade documentation, e-tracking systems for transit cargoes, digital weighbridges at Banjul Seaport, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems for container processing, digital tax stamps for excisable products, and a nationwide fuel marking system. “These reforms have enhanced transparency, accountability, and revenue collection across our trade corridors,” Darboe stated, underscoring their role in closing long-standing loopholes despite resistance from vested interests.
Emphasizing the urgency of self-reliance, Darboe urged African governments to prioritize domestic resource mobilization. “With donor fatigue becoming a reality, digitalizing revenue systems is no longer optional—it’s an economic imperative,” he declared, highlighting the need for strong political will to sustain such reforms.
The 2025 AfDB Meetings also marked a historic transition with the election of Mr. Sidi Ould Tah as the new AfDB President, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina after his decade-long tenure. Tah, who secured the position after three rounds of voting against candidates from Senegal and Zambia, assumes leadership at a critical juncture for Africa’s development.
The Gambia’s participation underscored its commitment to fiscal modernization and regional economic transformation. By sharing its success in digitalizing revenue systems, the GRA delegation positioned the Gambia as a model for other African nations seeking to strengthen domestic resource mobilization through technology. Commissioner General Darboe’s insights resonated widely, reinforcing the importance of innovation in building resilient economies.
As the AfDB Meetings concluded, the GRA’s contributions highlighted the transformative power of technology in revenue administration, offering a blueprint for sustainable development across the continent. Gambia’s proactive stance on fiscal reform signals its readiness to lead Africa’s economic evolution, which aligns with the AfDB’s mission to foster inclusive growth and prosperity.
The 2025 Annual Meetings celebrated Africa’s progress and set the stage for bold, technology-driven solutions to address the continent’s fiscal challenges. For The Gambia, the event was a platform to demonstrate its leadership in modernizing revenue systems, paving the way for a more self-sufficient and economically vibrant future.