The Gambia has been elected to the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Council for the 2026-2028 term, marking a significant milestone in the country's engagement with the continental tax body. The election took place during the 9th ATAF General Assembly held on November 4, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) led by Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe participated in the assembly, which brought together 460 participants from 38 ATAF member states and other stakeholders.
The ATAF Annual Meetings, held from November 1 to 5, 2026, focused on strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and advancing Africa's financial self-reliance. The theme of the meetings, "The Tax Revenue Imperative: Africa's Path to Financing Its Own Development," emphasised the need for tax reforms responsive to individual African countries' economic structures, institutional capacities, and development priorities. Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy M.K. Keita, was a keynote speaker, addressing the gathering on "The Compromiso de Sevilla: An Africa Audit on a Global Compact."
Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe participated in a panel discussion on Domestic Resource Mobilisation, highlighting The Gambia's experience in implementing complementary reforms to strengthen revenue administration. He cited modernisation efforts, including the implementation of ASYCUDA World, the National Single Window, and Electronic Cargo Tracking, as well as plans to modernise domestic tax administration through the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS). These interventions have improved visibility over taxable activities, strengthened verification, and helped address revenue leakages.
The ATAF Council for the 2026-2028 term comprises Namibia as Chairperson, Zimbabwe as Vice Chairperson, and other member states, including South Africa, Benin, Egypt, Zambia, Gabon, Tanzania, and Mauritius. The Gambia's election to the Council provides an opportunity for the country to contribute to ATAF's strategic direction and support efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve tax administration, and enhance international tax cooperation across Africa.
The ATAF Annual Meetings brought together participants from various sectors, including development partners, regional organisations, academia, civil society, and the private sector. The meetings deliberated on ways to support Africa's development financing ambitions through domestic revenue mobilisation and tax administration reforms. The Gambia's participation in the meetings and its election to the ATAF Council reflect its continued commitment to continental efforts to build stronger, more efficient, and sustainable revenue administrations.
The Gambia's election to the ATAF Council is expected to enhance the country's engagement with the continental tax body and contribute to its strategic direction. The Council will provide leadership and support to ATAF's efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and improve tax administration across Africa. This development is seen as a positive step towards advancing Africa's financial self-reliance and supporting the continent's development financing ambitions.
The ATAF Council will work to support Africa's development financing ambitions by strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, improving tax administration, and enhancing international tax cooperation. The Gambia's membership in the Council provides an opportunity for the country to share its experiences and expertise in tax administration and contribute to the development of strategies to support Africa's financial self-reliance.
Key points
- The Gambia's election to the ATAF Council marks a significant milestone in the country's engagement with the continental tax body and provides an opportunity to contribute to its strategic direction.
- The ATAF Annual Meetings focused on strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and advancing Africa's financial self-reliance, with a theme emphasising the need for tax reforms responsive to individual African countries' economic structures and development priorities.
- The Gambia's participation in the ATAF Annual Meetings and its election to the Council reflect its commitment to continental efforts to build stronger, more efficient, and sustainable revenue administrations in support of Africa's development financing ambitions.
