The National Assembly today opened a three-day Pre-Budget Review and Analysis Retreat following the laying of the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Government of The Gambia by the Hon. Minister of Finance, setting the stage for the Assembly’s scrutiny of the proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
Honourable Members and key stakeholders are meeting to discuss the Government’s revenue and expenditure priorities ahead of the formal debate and consideration of the 2027 Budget.
In his opening statement, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta said that the Assembly had grappled with difficult fiscal trade-offs, scrutinised budget allocations and debated national priorities, with the aim of protecting the welfare and economic interests of Gambians over the past four budget cycles.
The Speaker stressed that, as the Assembly enters its final budget cycle for the 2027 fiscal year, the people of The Gambia expect lawmakers to complete their legislative journey not with fatigue or complacency, but with diligence, rigour, responsibility and statesmanship.
He also noted that, while Section 152 of the Constitution provides for the preparation and laying of the Estimates before the National Assembly, the tabling of the Budget is only the beginning of the constitutional process, as the Assembly ultimately scrutinises, considers, approves and authorises expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
In his welcoming remarks, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kalipha MM. Mbaye described the retreat as a critical period of preparation for one of the Assembly’s most consequential responsibilities: the scrutiny and approval of the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
The Clerk reminded Members that no tax may be levied and no public expenditure incurred without the authority of the National Assembly, adding that this constitutional power can only be exercised meaningfully when backed by knowledge, preparation and rigorous analysis.
He said the retreat has, over the years, become an indispensable feature of the budget calendar, providing Members with an opportunity to step away from the pressures of the Chamber and constituency work and focus on the figures, assumptions and priorities that shape the national budget.
He further noted that the retreat carries special significance for the Sixth Legislature, as it is the fifth and final Pre-Budget Review and Analysis Retreat before the constitutional end of the current parliamentary mandate and the General Elections scheduled for December 2026.
The retreat forms part of the National Assembly’s broader efforts to strengthen informed debate, transparency and accountability in the scrutiny of public spending proposals
