By: Fatou Dahaba
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has intensified its drive to modernize tax administration with a two-day sensitization workshop on the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), targeting taxpayers in Banjul and the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).
The capacity-building sessions, held on Wednesday and Thursday, aimed to equip businesses and individuals with knowledge of the upcoming digital platform, which promises to streamline tax processes, boost transparency, and ease compliance burdens across the country.
Ernest Mendy, Director of Human Resources and Administration at the GRA and acting Commissioner General, expressed strong confidence in ITAS as a game-changer for the nation’s tax system. He described the platform as ushering in a new era of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection.
“ITAS will significantly reduce the compliance burden on taxpayers, minimize opportunities for fraud, and enhance domestic revenue mobilization, which is crucial for national development,” Mendy said. He urged the business community to actively participate in the implementation process, emphasizing that stakeholder input is essential to success.
The workshops provided a platform for open dialogue, with GRA officials explaining the system’s functionalities and directly addressing concerns raised by attendees. Mendy encouraged participants to ask questions and share insights, noting that taxpayer feedback would help refine the platform.
Alagie Mbaye, Director of Customs at the GRA, introduced ITAS as a transformative web-based solution designed to revolutionize tax collection in The Gambia. He highlighted how the system would cut down the time and effort required for compliance while reducing human error and opportunities for fraud.
“The success of ITAS depends not only on the technology but also on the active participation and feedback of taxpayers,” Mbaye stressed. Key features include online registration, convenient return filing, secure payments via multiple channels, and faster processing of tax refunds.
Samba Sallah, ITAS Project Manager, told participants that the system would allow taxpayers to manage their obligations from their offices or businesses without disrupting daily operations. He assured attendees that ongoing training, support, and communication would continue even after the workshop.
Sallah indicated that the system could be launched by the end of this year or early next year. He called on participants to engage fully in discussions and to continue providing feedback throughout the rollout phase to improve compliance and user experience.
The sensitization forms part of GRA’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy as it prepares for the nationwide implementation of ITAS, a major reform initiative supported by the World Bank. Officials believe the digital shift will simplify tax processes for both the authority and citizens, ultimately contributing to stronger domestic revenue generation and sustainable national development.
Taxpayers in Banjul and KMC welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a positive step toward a more efficient and user-friendly tax environment. GRA has pledged continued engagement with businesses and individuals to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
