The National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has finalized a review of the 2027 draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in The Gambia, resulting in total savings of D146,487,557. Lawmakers implemented these fiscal adjustments to the national budget through targeted reductions across several government departments. The committee specifically lowered the Judiciary's 2027 budget allocation by D39,650,000. Additionally, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) faces a reduction of D61,907,375 under the new budgetary framework approved by the committee. These cuts represent the finalized revisions made by the FPAC to the expenditure estimates for the upcoming fiscal year.
Reductions Across State Institutions
The National Audit Office also faces a significant budget adjustment under the finalized 2027 estimates, with its allocation reduced by D72,188,440. Following these fiscal revisions, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee reallocated D41.2 million from the total savings to support five specific government bodies. These funds will now be directed to the National Council for Civic Education, Early Warning, the Social Protection Secretariat, the National Population Secretariat, and the Public Service Commission. The committee finalized these reallocations to adjust expenditure across the state institutions for the upcoming fiscal year.
Economic Outlook and Revenue Projections
Real GDP in The Gambia grew by 5.7 per cent in 2025, a decrease from the 6 per cent growth recorded in 2024. Projections for the upcoming fiscal year indicate that economic growth for the country will reach 5.6 per cent in 2027.
Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee chairperson, provided updated figures regarding the anticipated national income for the same period. "Total Government Local Funds (GLF) Revenue and Grants for 2027 are projected at D40.96 billion, while Revenue and Grants under All Funds are estimated at D56.93 billion, including project grants of D15.97 billion," Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe stated. These figures form the basis for the revenue outlook as the government prepares the expenditure framework for 2027.
Rising Debt Service Obligations
Debt obligations remain a central component of the finalized 2027 fiscal framework. Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee chairperson, noted the upward trajectory of these financial commitments during the budget review. "Total debt service, comprising interest and principal repayments, is projected to rise from D13.46 billion in 2026 to D16.17 billion in 2027, an increase of 20.2 per cent," Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe stated. These figures reflect the total debt service requirements for the upcoming year, encompassing both interest costs and scheduled principal repayments. The expansion in these obligations represents a significant budgetary shift compared to the figures recorded for the 2026 fiscal year.
