Gambia: Finance Minister Pressed On Soaring Wage Bill, Growing Debt

Gambia: Finance Minister Pressed On Soaring Wage Bill, Growing Debt

Members of the National Assembly raised questions over the government's rising wage bill, mounting debt servicing costs and declining non-tax revenue during a question-and-answer session with the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita, following his ministerial statement on the implementation and monitoring of the annual budget.

Finance minister pressed on soaring wage bill, growing debt

The Member for Brikama South, Lamin J. Sanneh, pointed to what he described as a worrying drop in non-tax revenue projections. He noted that the 2025 target stood at 7 billion dalasis but was reduced to about 5 billion in the 2026 approved budget. Sanneh asked whether the government had abandoned expected inflows from asset recycling arrangements, which were earlier anticipated to boost revenue. He also raised concerns about the growing share of…

Finance Minister Reports D1.68B Budget Surplus to National Assembly

By: Fatou  Krubally The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs yesterday told the National Assembly that The Gambia recorded a budget surplus of D1.68 billion at the end of the 2025 fiscal year, citing improved revenue collection and external budget support as key contributors. Presenting an oral ministerial statement on the implementation and monitoring of the 2025 National Budget, Minister Seedy Keita said the government’s financial performa…