By Fatou Dahaba
The Coco Ocean Resort was ablaze with pride and celebration on Saturday as the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) hosted its 7th Annual Taxpayers’ Awards Night, a historic event recognizing businesses and institutions for their unwavering commitment to tax compliance. Graced by President Adama Barrow, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, security service heads, and a vibrant cross-section of the business community, the ceremony marked another milestone in celebrating fiscal responsibility.
The awards, introduced seven years ago to honor taxpayers’ dedication, spotlighted their critical role in driving The Gambia’s economic progress. Despite global economic challenges, the GRA surpassed its revenue targets, collecting D15.7 billion in 2023 against a D15.2 billion goal—a D581.7 million surplus. The momentum continued into 2024, with collections soaring to D20.83 billion, exceeding the D19.2 billion target by over D1 billion. In a record-breaking feat, March 2025 alone saw D6.7 billion collected, the highest monthly revenue in GRA history.
A Night of Recognition and Reform
Addressing the gathering, GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe emphasized the significance of the event in fostering a strong partnership with taxpayers. “This remarkable performance wasn’t driven by higher tax rates but by strategic reforms, digitalization, and a widened tax base,” Darboe said, noting the 2024 collection of D20.83 billion, an 8% surplus over the target and a D5 billion increase from 2023. Upcoming initiatives, including the Rental Tax Compliance System launching in May 2025 and a robust e-invoicing platform for VAT, promise to further enhance efficiency and close tax loopholes.
President Adama Barrow, presiding over the ceremony, hailed taxpayers as the backbone of national development. “From D7.9 billion in 2017 to D20.83 billion in 2024—a 163.7% increase—this growth reflects sound fiscal policies and GRA’s innovative reforms,” he said. Barrow tasked the GRA with collecting D23 billion in 2025, underscoring that reliance on loans and grants is unsustainable. “Your taxes fund our schools, hospitals, and roads, shaping the self-reliant Gambia,” he told the audience.
Finance Minister Seedy Keita framed the ceremony as a celebration of shared responsibility. “Each taxpayer here is shaping our collective destiny,” he said, praising the partnership between citizens and government.
GRA Board Chairman Dawda M.E. Ndure urged for more resources to improve service levels, warning that poor service undermines compliance. “A strong economy needs an effective tax system, and GRA must be equipped to deliver,” he said.
Celebrating the Champions of Compliance
The night’s highlight was the recognition of outstanding taxpayers across diverse sectors. Africell GSM Ltd was crowned the Largest Taxpayer of 2024, reaffirming its pivotal role in revenue mobilization. Ecobank Gambia Ltd clinched Bank of the Year, with Guaranty Trust Bank as runner-up. QCell Ltd secured GSM Company of the Year for the third time, followed by Comium Gambia Ltd. Jah Oil Ltd retained Oil Marketing Company of the Year, with Castle Oil Ltd in second place.
Other notable winners included Shyben A. Madi and Sons Ltd as Importer of the Year, Africmed International Ltd as Healthcare Taxpayer of the Year, and Senegambia Beach Hotel as Hotel of the Year. Bell Bottling Company took home Manufacturer of the Year, while Standard Newspaper won Print Media House of the Year. The Medium Taxpayer of the Year went to Gambia Maritime Administration, and Wave Transfer Ltd was named Most Compliant Mobile Money Operator. Public sector excellence was recognized with Gambia National Petroleum Company Ltd as Public Enterprise of the Year, the Ministry of Finance as PAYE Taxpayer of the Year, and Hydara Plaza as Rental Income Taxpayer of the Year.
Dozens of other businesses and institutions were celebrated across various categories, each contributing to the nation’s economic fabric. The ceremony, a testament to the power of compliance, left attendees inspired and united in their commitment to building a prosperous Gambia.
