Gambia’s Revenue Rises to $449 million in 2025

The Gambia generated D33 billion (about $449 million) in revenue in 2025, up from D25.85 billion ($351 million) in 2024, according to Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy Keita.

Keita presented the figures on Monday during the government’s 2025 budget execution and monitoring report to lawmakers at the National Assembly of The Gambia.

The report reviews how funds approved under the 2025 Appropriation Act were raised, managed and spent during the fiscal year, while assessing the government’s fiscal performance against planned budget targets.

According to the minister, the increase in revenue was driven mainly by higher tax and non-tax collections, as well as stronger-than-expected budget support.

Domestic revenue rose 23 percent to D28.62 billion in 2025, compared with D23.27 billion in 2024. Tax revenue alone reached D23.97 billion, exceeding the approved budget target of D21.13 billion by 13 percent and representing 22 percent growth year-on-year.

The country’s tax-to-GDP ratio also improved, rising from 12.1 percent in 2024 to 13.1 percent in 2025, reflecting stronger domestic resource mobilisation.

Direct taxes increased to D7.49 billion, up from D6.06 billion in 2024, largely driven by higher corporate income tax and personal income tax receipts. Indirect taxes climbed to D16.47 billion, compared with D13.65 billion the previous year.

Government expenditure and net lending under the Gambia Local Fund (GLF) totaled D31.36 billion, representing 97 percent of the approved annual budget of D32.3 billion.

Keita said spending was largely driven by personnel emoluments, subsidies and transfers to public institutions, and domestic debt interest payments. Personnel costs reached D9.58 billion, while subsidies and transfers amounted to D7.23 billion.

Despite the higher spending, the government recorded a budget surplus of D1.6 billion in 2025, compared with a projected deficit of D1.98 billion.

The finance minister said the improved fiscal outcome reflects stronger revenue performance and enhanced budget management, noting that domestic revenue now covers about 91 percent of government expenditure.

He added that the assessment of the budget execution would help authorities make data-driven fiscal decisions and maintain financial discipline in future budget cycles.