By: Fatou Dahaba
In a powerful goodwill message delivered at the opening of the 12th Annual International Tax Conference of the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI), Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Yankuba Darboe, has called on West African nations to prioritize home-grown financing through robust taxation systems amid rising donor fatigue and mounting debt burdens.
Addressing a gathering of high-level dignitaries, including the President of WAUTI, honourable ministers, heads of revenue authorities from across the sub-region, tax practitioners, experts, development partners, and members of the media, Mr. Darboe described the conference as a vital platform for shaping the fiscal future of West Africa
“It is a profound honor and a distinct pleasure to deliver this goodwill message,” Mr. Darboe began, extending warm fraternal greetings on behalf of the GRA and the Government of the Republic of The Gambia. He commended WAUTI for sustaining the annual conference over twelve consecutive years, highlighting its role as a professional and intellectual forum that brings together tax administrators, policymakers, academics, and practitioners.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Taxation and Economic Sovereignty in West Africa: Harmonizing Fiscal Autonomy for Inclusive Growth,” could not be more timely, according to the GRA chief. He defined economic sovereignty as a nation’s ability to chart its own development path through independent and sustainable financing, with taxation serving as the most legitimate, reliable, and dignified instrument to achieve it.
“Taxation reduces dependency, strengthens accountability between governments and citizens, and reinforces the social contract,” Mr. Darboe emphasized.
He painted a sobering picture of the global economic landscape, noting rapid transformations that pose significant challenges for developing economies in Africa. For decades, many countries have relied heavily on external support, but “donor fatigue is real,” and development assistance has become increasingly constrained and uncertain.
At the same time, a growing debt burden threatens fiscal space across the continent. In several African countries, data shows that up to 60% of government revenues are now allocated to debt servicing, leaving critical questions about resources available for investment in health, education, and infrastructure.
“These realities compel us to rethink our approach to financing development. Africa must increasingly look inward and rely on home-grown solutions. Our development cannot be outsourced,” Mr. Darboe declared.
He positioned domestic resource mobilization (DRM) as the stable and sustainable pathway forward. While international trade revenues remain volatile amid geopolitical tensions and shifting supply chains, domestic taxation offers consistency and reliability.
“Strong tax systems are not merely technical instruments of revenue collection. They are pillars of economic sovereignty. They empower governments to plan, invest, and deliver essential services to citizens,” he said.
Mr. Darboe praised WAUTI’s critical role in building professional capacity, fostering policy dialogue, and promoting best practices. He reaffirmed the Gambia Revenue Authority’s full commitment to supporting the union and its objectives, stressing that shared challenges require collective solutions through cooperation, knowledge exchange, and professional development.
Beyond institutional strengthening, the Commissioner General urged a shift in the narrative around taxation. “Taxation must not be viewed solely as an obligation imposed on citizens and businesses. Rather, it must be understood as a shared investment in nation-building. Every tax collected—when managed responsibly—translates into roads that connect our communities, hospitals that save lives, schools that educate our children, and infrastructure that powers economic growth.”
He called on all participants—tax experts, practitioners, policymakers, and development partners—to advance a renewed continental commitment to domestic resource mobilization. “Let us work together to develop innovative, efficient, and fair tax systems capable of financing Africa’s development. Let us strengthen cooperation among our institutions and harmonize our approaches where possible, while preserving the fiscal autonomy necessary to address national priorities.”
“Above all,” Mr. Darboe concluded, “let us champion the principle that Africa itself must increasingly finance Africa’s development. The discussions here are not merely technical conversations; they are conversations about the future of economic sovereignty in West Africa and beyond.”
He expressed confidence that the expertise gathered would generate meaningful ideas and solutions for stronger fiscal systems and inclusive growth. In closing, Mr. Darboe once again commended WAUTI for its leadership. He reaffirmed the GRA’s role as a proud partner, ready to support the union’s mission to strengthen tax professionalism and regional cooperation.
The two-day conference, hosted at the Palm Beach Resort Hotel in Saly, Mbour, Senegal, continues with sessions focused on practical strategies for harmonizing fiscal policies while safeguarding national priorities.
Members of the GRA delegation were Mr. Essa Jallow, Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes, Mr. Yahya Manneh,, Director of the Technical Services Department, Mr. Ebrima Sallah, Deputy Director of Legal, Mrs. Mariama Jobe, Senior Tax Officer and Country Rep Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) Gambia chapter, and Mr. Malayn Sanneh Communication Sub Officer II and other Sub Officers that accompany the delegation.
In attendance were participants from The Gambia, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Liberia.
