Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- Finance Minister Seedy Keita has told the National Assembly that The Gambia collected more money than expected in the first half of 2025, but also spent more than it earned, leaving the government with a bigger budget gap.

From January to June, the government brought in about GMD 13.78 billion. This is 29 percent more than the same period last year and 9 percent higher than what was planned for mid-year. Most of this money came from taxes paid by companies, taxes on goods and services, and duties collected on imports and exports.

Mr. Keita said this shows progress in the country’s efforts to improve tax collection and raise more money at home instead of relying only on outside help.

But even with the extra money, the government spent more than it earned. By June, spending had reached GMD 14.51 billion, which is nearly half of the full budget for 2025. A large share of the money went into paying salaries for civil servants, supporting public institutions, and paying interest on debts.

Money set aside for development projects, such as infrastructure and equipment, was GMD 1.37 billion. This was lower than what was spent in the same period last year.

Because expenses were higher than income, the government ended up with a budget gap of GMD 724.8 million by June. This is much bigger than the GMD 198.3 million shortfall that had been expected for the entire year.

The Finance Minister said steps are being taken to slow down spending and raise even more money in the coming months. He added that if international partners provide the expected financial support, the gap should shrink before the end of the year.

Mr. Keita explained that while it is good news that the government is collecting more money, the high cost of salaries, subsidies, and debt payments continues to weigh heavily on the budget. He urged that money be used more carefully so that the country can stay financially stable while still funding important services and projects.