State House, Banjul, 23rd July 2026: The Gambia proudly hosted the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Master Class Meeting from 22nd–23rd July 2026, welcoming commissioners and technical experts from 19 African countries to the Smiling Coast of Africa. The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) served as host, with Commissioner‑General Yankuba Darboe leading the nation’s engagement in this landmark gathering.
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Adama Barrow at the State House today, commending his political will demonstrated in transforming domestic revenue collection.
President Barrow expressed delight at The Gambia’s role in convening such an important meeting, stressing the significance of modernising tax administration for Africa’s economic and social growth. He urged delegates to learn from one another, remarking, “domestic resource mobilisation is the way forward to accelerate development.”
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, the President noted that his government has completed numerous projects in a shorter project than the previous administrations, adding that, “currently we have about 400 kilometres of roads, and the funds were acquired through domestic tax collection.” This success, he explained, inspired his administration’s YIRIWA agenda, an inward‑looking strategy to finance socio‑economic development. President Barrow encouraged tax administrators to build trust with political leaders to secure support for reforms, and to demonstrate to citizens how their taxes are invested.
Briefing the President, speakers including the Chairman, Dr. Johnstone Makhubu, outlined efforts to establish a unified tax policy across Africa. He praised The Gambia as a model for domestic resource mobilisation, emphasising that collaboration is essential for Africa’s advancement. The delegation also lauded President Barrow’s humility and active participation in the “Presidential Delivery Forum,” urging him to champion modernised tax administration at the African Union and United Nations General Assembly.
Committed to advancing collective reforms in tax administration, ATAF, inspired by The Gambia’s progress, has identified GRA Commissioner‑General Yankuba Darboe as Africa’s Champion for Domestic Revenue Collection.
With this recognition, The Gambia has positioned itself as a continental leader in modernised domestic tax administration, inspiring other African nations to embrace reforms that drive sustainable development.
