Addressing a high-level gathering of West African tax authorities, the Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, issued a clarion call for regional economic independence through domestic resource mobilisation.
Speaking at the opening of the 12th WAUTI Annual International Tax Conference, held in Dakar, CG Darboe emphasised that the era of relying on external aid is rapidly closing, replaced by a critical need for “home-grown solutions”.
The conference, organised by the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI), centred on the theme: “Taxation and Economic Sovereignty in West Africa: Harmonising Fiscal Autonomy for Inclusive Growth”.
Yankuba Darboe defined economic sovereignty as a nation’s ability to fund its own development independently. He argued that taxation is the “most legitimate, reliable, and dignified instrument” to achieve those goals.
“Our development cannot be outsourced,” Darboe stated, noting that taxation strengthens the social contract between governments and their citizens.
The GRA chief painted a real picture of the current global economic landscape, highlighting two major hurdles for African nations.
He said a donor fatigue as development assistance is becoming increasingly constrained and uncertain as global priorities shift. Also, the debt burden, stating that in several African countries, up to 60% of government revenue is currently swallowed by debt servicing.
Darboe posed a fundamental question to the delegates: “What remains for investment in health, in education, and in infrastructure?” when such a large portion of revenue is diverted to interest payments.
While international trade revenues remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions and shifting supply chains, CG Darboe positioned domestic taxation as the most consistent source of public finance.
According to the Commissioner General, every tax collected is a “shared investment in nation-building” that directly funds infrastructure such as roads connecting communities and power systems, healthcare building hospitals that save lives and education for future generations.
Commending WAUTI for its 12-year history of fostering professional dialogue, Commissioner General Darboe reaffirmed the Gambia Revenue Authority’s commitment to regional cooperation. He urged tax experts and policymakers to move beyond technical conversations and focus on shaping the future of West African economies through innovative and fair tax systems.
“Let us champion the principle,” he concluded, “that Africa’s development must increasingly be financed by Africa itself”.
