The Gambia Moves to Real-Time Monitoring of Telecom Tax Revenues

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority have signed an escrow account agreement that clears the way for the implementation of a revenue assurance system for the country’s telecommunications sector.

The agreement marks the final operational step before the system, provided by SICPA, goes live. The system will give the government direct, real-time visibility into taxable telecom transactions, enabling it to verify revenues independently rather than relying solely on figures reported by mobile operators.

According to GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, the system will allow authorities to know the government’s tax entitlement before operators submit their monthly returns. This is expected to reduce under-declaration and strengthen compliance with VAT, excise duties and other sector levies.

Darboe noted that earlier technology-based controls implemented with SICPA, including a secure marking and traceability platform for tobacco products, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits, and flour, as well as a fuel marking programme, have led to substantial revenue increases. For example, petroleum-related revenues have doubled, from around GMD 250 million ($3.4 million) to more than GMD 500 million per month.