Award-Winning Taxpayers Lauded for Fueling Gambia’s Growth

President Barrow present GRA Award to Africell © GRA

By Mariama Faal,

On Saturday, 12th April 2024, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) hosted its prestigious annual Taxpayer Appreciation Awards at the Coco Ocean Resort & Spa. The event, now a significant fixture in the national calendar, was held under the theme “Enhancing Domestic Resource Mobilization through Improved Tax Compliance.”

The ceremony brought together a wide array of guests, including senior government officials, private sector leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, and representatives from civil society and the media. Its primary goal was to recognise and celebrate the outstanding commitment of individuals and businesses who have consistently fulfilled their tax obligations and contributed to national development.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy Keita, praised the efforts of the awardees and underscored the critical role of domestic revenue in funding essential public services and national infrastructure. He emphasised the government’s commitment to improving transparency, efficiency, and compliance within the tax system.

President Barrow and GRA Commissioner Darboe © GRA

Mr. Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the GRA, also addressed the gathering. He thanked all taxpayers for their contributions and highlighted the Authority’s ongoing reforms aimed at creating a more taxpayer-friendly environment. He noted that the awards serve not only as recognition but also as motivation for others to voluntarily comply with tax laws.

The GRA boss revealed that although their institution was tasked to collect D19.2 billion in 2024, they collected D20.83 billion last year, a significant increase from the D15.79 collected in 2023. “I’m happy to announce that as of 31st December 2024, the Authority collected over D20.83 billion, surpassing the target by 8% or an absolute variance of over D1.8 billion,” said Commission Darboe.

Looking forward, the GRA boss added that they are tasked to collect D23 billion in 2025, averaging D2 billion per month, which he called an immense challenge but highlighted his confidence in meeting this target by the end of 2025.

President Barrow and GRA Commissioner Darboe © GRA

Awards were presented in several categories, including Most Compliant Large Taxpayer, Top Performing SME, Best Regional Taxpayer, and Outstanding Public Institution, among others. These accolades were based on criteria such as timely filing, accurate reporting, payment compliance, and contribution to revenue growth.

In addition to the formal proceedings, attendees were treated to cultural performances and a dinner reception, making the night both memorable and meaningful. The event concluded with a renewed call for public-private collaboration to strengthen the Gambia’s fiscal foundation.

GRA Taxpayer Appreciation Awards 2024

A. National Category Awards

1. Largest Taxpayer of the Year
    🏆 Africell Gambia Ltd

2. Most Compliant Medium Taxpayer
    🏆 Gambia Maritime Administration

3. Most Compliant Small Taxpayer
    🏆 Alpha Habib T/A Buffer Zone Villa

4. Most Compliant Informal Sector Taxpayer
    🏆 Omar Barrow

B. Sector-Specific Compliance Awards

1. Most Compliant GSM Company
    🏆 QCell Company Ltd

2. Most Compliant Bank
    🏆 Ecobank Gambia Ltd

3. Most Compliant Insurance Company
    🏆 IGI Gamstar Insurance Co. Ltd

4. Most Compliant Foreign Exchange Bureau
    🏆 F and M Family Bureau De Change

5. Most Compliant Mobile Money Transfer Company
    🏆 Wave Transfer Ltd

6. Most Compliant Hotel
    🏆 Senegambia Beach Hotel

7. Most Compliant Importer
    🏆 Shyben A. Madi and Sons

8. Most Compliant Basic Food Importer
    🏆 Ahmedou El Tah T/A A.M.T Enterprise

9. Most Compliant Manufacturer
    🏆 Bell Breweries Ltd

10. Most Compliant Agro Industry Taxpayer
     🏆 Mam Sait Jagne

11. Largest Oil Marketing Taxpayer
     🏆 Jah Oil Company Ltd

12. Most Compliant Oil Marketing Taxpayer
     🏆 Oryx Energies Gambia Ltd

13. Most Compliant Health Care Taxpayer
     🏆 Africmed International

14. Most Compliant Construction Taxpayer
     🏆 Gigo Construction Company Ltd

15. Most Compliant ICT Taxpayer
     🏆 Matrix Solution Company Ltd

16. Most Compliant Print Media House
     🏆 XL Standard Company Ltd

17. Most Compliant Electronic Media House
     🏆 Manjo Media T/A West Coast Radio

18. Most Compliant Supermarket
     🏆 Marouns Supermarket

19. Most Compliant Audit / Accounting Firm
     🏆 DT Associates The Gambia

20. Most Compliant Rental Income Taxpayer
     🏆 Sulayman Hydara

21. Most Compliant PAYE Taxpayer
     🏆 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

22. Most Compliant Domestic VAT Taxpayer
     🏆 African Princess Beach Bar and Hotel

23. Most Compliant Import VAT Taxpayer
     🏆 Batimat

24. Most Compliant Public Enterprise Taxpayer
     🏆 Gambia National Petroleum Company Ltd

25. Most Compliant Clearing Agent
     🏆 Sulayman Joof

C. Regional Taxpayer Awards

1. Most Compliant Regional Taxpayer – West Coast Region (WCR)
    🏆 Foni Dingding Federation

2. Most Compliant Regional Taxpayer – North Bank Region (NBR)
    🏆 Fortune Petroleum Marketing Company

3. Most Compliant Regional Taxpayer – Lower River Region (LRR)
    🏆 Muhammad Lamin Jassey T/A Banjamba Construction

4. Most Compliant Regional Taxpayer – Central River Region (CRR)
    🏆 Kuntaur Area Council

5. Most Compliant Regional Taxpayer – Upper River Region (URR)
    🏆 Wang Ming T/A Mango Clinic

D. Special Recognition

1. Most Compliant Donor-Funded Project
    🏆 Gambia Fiscal Management and Development Project – MoFEA (PCU)