The Government of The Gambia on Friday has presented its 2027 Budget to the National Assembly, projecting GMD 40.96 billion in revenue and grants against GMD 41.05 billion in expenditure and net lending.
Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy K.M. Keita unveiled the estimates under the theme “Deepening Economic Resilience While Enhancing Fiscal Sustainability.” He emphasised that the budget seeks to maintain macroeconomic stability while prioritising agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and security.
Economic Outlook:
Minister Keita reported that the Gambian economy remained resilient, recording real GDP growth of 5.7 percent in 2025, slightly down from 6 percent in 2024. Growth was driven by agriculture, construction, tourism, and remittance inflows. For 2027, GDP growth is projected at 5.6 percent.
On the revenue side, total GLF revenue and grants are expected to rise by 14.2 percent year-on-year, buoyed by a 16.5 percent increase in tax revenue. New measures include excise duties on single-use plastics, imported used tyres, and scrap metal exports.
Expenditure Highlights:
Total GLF expenditure and net lending are projected to increase by 12.5 percent to GMD 41.05 billion. Key allocations include: Debt service: GMD 16.17 billion, up 20.2 percent from 2026. Personnel expenditure: GMD 11.21 billion. Goods and services: GMD 8.45 billion. Subsidies and transfers: GMD 8.31 billion, covering agricultural input subsidies, the National Health Insurance Scheme, and increased support to hospitals and schools. Capital expenditure: GMD 3.79 billion, targeting health facilities, military infrastructure, medical equipment, office buildings, and ICT infrastructure.
Reform Agenda:
A major reform in the 2027 Budget is the expansion of Program-Based Budgeting (PBB) across the entire central government. This initiative aims to align resources with national priorities, strengthen accountability, and improve programme performance assessment.
Review of 2026 Budget:
By June 2026, GLF expenditure and net lending stood at GMD 15.42 billion, representing 42 percent of the approved annual budget. Domestic revenue, excluding project grants, reached GMD 15.35 billion, an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Minister Keita reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation through strict expenditure controls and concessional borrowing, while managing risks from global economic developments.
The 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure have now been laid before the National Assembly for consideration and approval
