Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly is set to subject the government’s proposed 2027 National Budget to detailed parliamentary scrutiny when lawmakers begin their combined Third and Fourth Ordinary Sessions on September 7, 2026.
The extended session, which will run until October 29, will place the national budget at the center of the Assembly’s legislative and oversight work, alongside major bills, government accountability reports, and the examination of state-owned enterprises.
Budget Process Begins in September
Finance and Economic Affairs Minister is scheduled to present the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure to the Assembly on September 25, formally opening the parliamentary budget process.
The presentation will be followed by pre-budget consultations and committee engagements from September 26 to October 7.
During this period, lawmakers are expected to examine the government’s revenue projections, spending priorities, and allocations across various sectors.
The Finance and Public Accounts Committee will then table its consolidated report on October 12.
Lawmakers will debate the estimates from October 12 to 15 before the proposed expenditure is taken to the Committee of Supply for detailed, line-by-line examination.
Appropriation Bill Faces Final Test
The Assembly is expected to receive and debate the Appropriation Bill on October 26. The Committee of Supply is scheduled to scrutinize the Bill the following day, ahead of its third reading and eventual passage.
The parliamentary process is intended to ensure that the government’s proposed spending for 2027 is thoroughly examined before Parliament authorizes the use of public funds.
Beyond the budget, the extended session is also expected to place government finances and accountability under the spotlight, with lawmakers preparing to scrutinize public accounts, state-owned enterprises, and a number of major legislative reforms.
The session therefore promises to be a significant period of parliamentary oversight, with the 2027 budget providing lawmakers with an opportunity to examine not only how much the government plans to spend but also its revenue projections, policy priorities, and the allocation of public resources.
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