The President of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Adama Barrow, has sent a powerful message on the importance of domestic revenue Mobilisation in Africa. Hosting the 7th African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Heads of Tax Administrations Master Class at the State House, President Barrow underscored that revenue collection is the bedrock of a state’s ability to provide for its people.
He highlighted how the Gambia Revenue Authority’s performance has directly financed national priorities, including salary increases for public servants and the construction of vital infrastructure such as roads. “When Africa collects its own revenues effectively, Africa finances its own development,” he affirmed.
The Executive Secretary of ATAF, Ms. Mary Baine, described the occasion as historic, noting: “It is not every day that those who collect Africa’s revenues are welcomed as a collective by a Head of State, and the gesture speaks louder than any communiqué.”
The gathering in Banjul was more than symbolic. It demonstrated the growing partnership between Africa’s political leadership and tax administrators, united in their mission to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation as a cornerstone of the continent’s development agenda.
The Government and people of The Gambia were commended for their warm hospitality and for championing this vital cause. As Africa continues to chart its own path to sustainable growth, the alignment of political will with technical expertise in revenue collection stands as a beacon of progress.
