Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Seedy Keita has informed the National Assembly that the government spent GMD 2.45 billion on Personnel Emoluments (PEs) during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the substantial share of public expenditure devoted to wages and salaries.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Implementation Report, the minister disclosed that total Government Local Fund (GLF) expenditure and net lending amounted to GMD 7.87 billion during the period, representing 22 percent of the approved annual budget.
“The overall GLF expenditure and net lending for the first quarter of 2026 amounted to GMD 7.87 billion, representing 22 percent of the annual budget. The main drivers of expenditure were Personnel Emoluments (PEs), subsidies and transfers to subvented institutions, and debt interest payments,” he stated.
According to the report, Personnel Emoluments accounted for GMD 2.45 billion, while subsidies and transfers totaled GMD 2.14 billion. Debt interest payments amounted to GMD 1.36 billion during the same period.
Keita further reported that current expenditure reached GMD 7.13 billion, equivalent to 20 percent of the approved annual budget of GMD 36.18 billion. This is an increase of GMD 149.96 million or 2 percent over the corresponding period in 2025.
On capital expenditure, the minister revealed that GMD 738.74 million was disbursed in the first quarter, representing 21 percent of the approved capital budget of GMD 3.54 billion. However, this was GMD 409.18 million, or 36 percent, lower than the amount spent during the same period last year.
The minister attributed the expenditure pattern in the first quarter to key government obligations, including payroll costs, subsidies, debt servicing, and infrastructure-related investments across ministries and public institutions.
“The largest share of expenditure in the first quarter of 2026 was driven by payroll obligations, subsidies, debt servicing, and infrastructure spending across key ministries and entities,” he added.
