Gambia Elected to ATAF Council for 2026–2028 Term

The Gambia has been elected to the Council of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) for the 2026–2028 term, marking a significant milestone in the country’s participation in continental efforts to strengthen tax administration and domestic revenue mobilisation.

The election took place during the 9th ATAF General Assembly held on November 4, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, as part of the forum’s 2026 Annual Meetings, which ran from November 1 to 5.

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) delegation was led by Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, who was elected as one of the Council members representing the country.

The annual meetings, held under the theme, “The Tax Revenue Imperative: Africa’s Path to Financing Its Own Development,” brought together 460 participants from 38 ATAF member states, alongside development partners, regional organisations, academia, civil society and private sector representatives.

The gathering provided a platform for African tax administrators and development stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, improving tax systems and reducing the continent’s reliance on external financing.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy M.K. Keita, was among the invited keynote speakers. He addressed participants on “The Compromiso de Sevilla: An Africa Audit on a Global Compact,” emphasising the need for African countries to translate commitments made in Sevilla into tangible outcomes through nationally owned reforms.

Meanwhile, Commissioner General Darboe participated in a panel discussion on Domestic Resource Mobilisation, where he shared The Gambia’s experience in implementing reforms to strengthen revenue administration.

He highlighted the modernisation of customs operations through ASYCUDA World, the National Single Window and Electronic Cargo Tracking, alongside plans to modernise domestic tax administration through the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).

Darboe also underscored the importance of partnerships in implementing digital excise stamps, fuel marking and telecommunications revenue assurance initiatives. According to the GRA, these interventions have improved visibility over taxable activities, strengthened verification processes and helped address revenue leakages.

The Commissioner General further stressed the importance of properly sequencing reforms, preparing staff and taxpayers for implementation, aligning development partner support with national priorities and ensuring that reforms produce measurable results.

The new ATAF Council for the 2026–2028 term will be chaired by Namibia’s Sam Shivute, with Zimbabwe’s Regina Chinamasa serving as Vice Chairperson.

Other members include Dr Johnstone Makhubu of South Africa, Mr Yankuba Darboe of The Gambia, Mr Erick Maxime Mensah Akakpo-Djihountry of Benin, Dr Rasha Abdel Aal of Egypt, Mr Dingani Banda of Zambia, Ms Edith Laure Oyaya-Mbiguidi of Gabon, Mr Yusup Juma Mwenda of Tanzania and Mr Rohit Ramnawaz of Mauritius. ATAF Executive Secretary Mary Baine will serve as an ex-officio member.

The Council is mandated to provide strategic leadership and guidance to ATAF, supporting initiatives to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve tax administration and advance international tax cooperation across the continent.

The Gambia’s election to the Council is expected to provide the country with an opportunity to contribute directly to shaping ATAF’s strategic priorities while sharing its experiences in revenue administration with other African tax authorities.

It also reinforces the country’s engagement in continental efforts to build efficient, transparent and sustainable tax systems capable of financing Africa’s development priorities.