According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), The Gambia’s non-tax revenue recorded GMD 485.92 million in the first quarter of 2026. This reflects a decline compared to GMD 1.15 billion in the same period in 2025, representing a 58 percent drop.
The Ministry also reported that total debt interest payments fell by 14 percent (GMD 212.73 million) compared to the first quarter of 2025. These figures were published in the Budget Performance Report, First Quarter 2026 (January–March).
The Ministry stated: “Non-tax revenue recorded GMD 485.92 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to GMD 1.15 billion in the same period last year, representing a decline of 58 percent. The decline is mainly due to a decrease in non-tax revenue collections by MDAs, which fell by 62 percent.”
The Minister attributed this to the 2025 dividend receipt of GMD 709.99 million from the Central Bank in March 2025. Compared to the approved budget target of GMD 5.16 billion, non-tax revenue achieved a modest performance of 9 percent.
It added: “GRA non-tax revenue amounted to GMD 99.71 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to GMD 132.87 million in the same period in the prior year, reflecting a decline of 25 percent.” This was mainly attributed to the removal of third-party revenues from government revenues, such as the National Education Levy, Sport Development Levy, Car Parking Fees, and PURA Fuel Levy, from CRF revenues in fiscal year 2026.
For accounting and reporting purposes, an escrow account was created by the Accountant General to collect and transfer these third-party revenues to the respective beneficiary institutions. Their exclusion improves the accuracy and transparency of revenue reporting by ensuring that only revenues accruing to the government are recorded.
“In comparison to the approved budget of GMD 499.80 million, GRA non-tax revenue amounted to GMD 99.71 million in the first quarter of 2026, representing 20 percent of its approved budget target,” said the Ministry.
Expenditure Highlights
Government Local Fund (GLF) expenditure and net lending totaled GMD 7.87 billion by end-March—22 percent of the approved 2026 annual budget. This represents a reduction of GMD 258 million (3 percent) compared to the same period in 2025 (GMD 8.13 billion), driven primarily by a sharp decline in capital spending. Personnel emoluments, goods & services, and subsidies & transfers all recorded year-on-year increases.
Other Charges (OC) expenditure totaled GMD 3.32 billion (21 percent of the approved GMD 15.46 billion), an increase of GMD 249.82 million (8 percent) compared to last year.
Goods & Services spending stood at GMD 1.19 billion (15 percent of the approved GMD 7.80 billion), which is GMD 111.37 million (46 percent) above last year’s spending.
Subsidies & Transfers reached GMD 2.14 billion, a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year, representing 28 percent of the approved budget of GMD 7.66 billion.
Breakdown of Subsidies
Public Health Institutions: GMD 383.55 million (18% execution), up GMD 112.23 million (41%). Personnel emoluments rose by GMD 84.01 million (40%) to GMD 295.29 million, while OC increased by GMD 28.22 million (47%) to GMD 88.26 million.
Public Education Institutions: GMD 371.78 million (23% execution), up GMD 22.16 million (6%). Personnel emoluments rose by GMD 61.35 million (20%) to GMD 364.78 million, while OC decreased by GMD 39.19 million (85%) to GMD 7 million.
Finance Ministry Subvented Institutions: GMD 280.13 million (26% execution), down GMD 154.85 million (36%). Personnel emoluments increased by GMD 73.23 million (203%) to GMD 109.35 million, while OC declined by GMD 228.09 million (57%) to GMD 170.78 million.
Agricultural Institutions: GMD 648.05 million (46% execution), up GMD 46.69 million (6%). Personnel emoluments decreased by GMD 2.01 million (16%) to GMD 10.62 million, while OC increased by GMD 48.70 million (8%) to GMD 637.75 million.
Debt & Capital Spending
Debt interest payments fell by 14 percent (GMD 212.73 million) compared to Q1 2025, reflecting lower domestic interest financing. Domestic interest at GMD 1.08 billion accounts for 79 percent of total debt interest.
Capital expenditure totaled GMD 738.74 million (21 percent of the GMD 3.54 billion annual capital budget) by end-March 2026. This marks a significant reduction of GMD 409.18 million (36 percent) compared to the same period in 2025, suggesting slower project implementation in early 2026. Development capital (large infrastructure and strategic projects) accounts for 89 percent of all capital spending.
