Yaya M. Sanyang, National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, addressed the 2027 budget estimates debate on 12 October 2026. He expressed concern regarding the lack of funding for nutrition, stating, "As we are speaking, this particular budget does not even have a single [allocation] when it comes to nutrition funds. We want to depend on donor partners for what?" Mr. Sanyang reminded the assembly of the National Nutrition Act, noting, "Honourable Speaker, as we speak, even though there is a nutrition programme under the Ministry of Health, it was us here who enacted a law called the National Nutrition Act, which was the first ever nutrition act in Africa." He also criticized infrastructure maintenance, claiming, "As we are speaking right now, this particular budget, we all know that even Old Trafford is older than the stadium, our own stadium."
Concerns Over Fiscal Sustainability
Official government projections for the 2027 fiscal year indicate that 73 percent of the total budget will be financed through domestic revenue. The remaining 27 percent of the funding requirements are expected to be met through a combination of loans and grants. These allocations occur against the backdrop of the country’s current national debt, which stands at D144 billion. Members of the National Assembly are reviewing these figures as part of the broader debate on the adequacy of the proposed fiscal strategy. The reliance on external borrowing and aid to cover more than one-quarter of the budget remains a primary point of discussion for legislators assessing the long-term financial health of The Gambia.
Health and Nutrition Funding Gaps
The total national budget for 2027 is approximately D66.7 billion. Legislative review of these figures continues as members analyze the distribution of funds across various sectors.
Within these financial estimates, the 2027 budget allocates D60 million to the national health insurance scheme. This specific provision represents the government's financial commitment to the program for the upcoming fiscal year.
Infrastructure maintenance remains a subject of scrutiny during the assembly proceedings. The 2027 budget contains no maintenance fund allocated for the country’s main stadium. Lawmakers have identified this absence of specific funding as a concern for the long-term upkeep of the facility.
