Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- With the support from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), is embarking on the implementation of a new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) to enhance the authority’s tax administration process.
This initiative is part of the Public Administration Modernisation for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery (PAMP) Project of the World Bank for the Government of The Gambia.
The introduction of ITAS represents a transformative step in GRA’s modernisation efforts, aimed at automating tax processes and improving taxpayer services through the adoption of electronic services (e-registration, e-filing, e-payment, etc.) and other digital services.
To make the new Integrated Tax Administration System a success, GRA commenced conducting sensitisation workshops for professional bodies to raise awareness of the new System and its functionalities, ensuring widespread usage and effective transition to digital tax services.
On the 13th of August 2025, GRA held a day-long sensitisation workshop for Gambian Lawyers representing various Law Firms in the country on the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).
While addressing the participants, Commissioner General of the GRA, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, described the workshop as a significant step towards enhancing their collective understanding of the transformative changes that ITAS will bring to GRA’s tax administration processes.
“For many years, the Gambia Revenue Authority has been on a journey of transformation. A journey to modernize our tax processes, to enhance efficiency and to foster a culture of voluntary tax compliance,” Mr. Darboe said.
Mr. Darboe acknowledges the pivotal role that Lawyers play in the legal and fiscal landscapes of Gambian society. While stating that The practice of law, particularly in taxation, requires an acute awareness of not only the existing legal frameworks but also the instruments and technologies that underpin them.
The GRA boss believes that the introduction of the Integrated Tax Administration System will represent a fundamental shift in how tax administration operates, saying, it is imperative that both the tax administrators and tax agents are fully equipped to navigate this new environment.
Mr. Darboe said ITAS is expected to streamline tax processes, improve compliance, and foster greater transparency in tax administration and tax compliance.
“It will enable e-registration, e-filing, e-payment and e-refund,” he said. Mr. Darboe said such advancements come with new challenges and responsibilities.
“ It is essential for us as tax administrators and tax agents to understand the implications of these changes, not only for our clients, the taxpayers, but for the overarching legal and economic environment in which we operate,” he alluded.
With the introduction of this new system, the GRA is confident that the ITAS system will bring a new era of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in its tax administration.
Mr. Darboe echoed that ITAS will reduce compliance burden on taxpayers, minimize opportunities for fraud and corruption, and ultimately, enhance domestic revenue mobilization for the continued development of the nation.
The Deputy Commissioner General of the GRA Mr. Essa Jallow said Tax administration plays a crucial role in the mobilization of domestic revenues necessary for national development.
“However, many tax administrations are facing increasing tax administration costs whilst taxpayers are also facing high compliance costs,” he said.
To address these challenges, Mr. Jallow said the implementation of an ITAS becomes necessary.
He said the workshop is not just about understanding this new system, it is about embracing a new way of thinking about tax compliance and administration.
“As we integrate modern technology into our tax processes, we will simplify our operations, reduce errors and provide better services to our taxpayers and those providing them will provide advisory services,” he said.
Mr. Jallow further asserted that these reforms will not only benefit the taxpayers and GRA but it will also empower citizens to understand their tax obligations and ensure that the tax system is fair, equitable and accessible.
Mr. Jallow said ITAS represents a comprehensive approach to tax administration that integrates all aspects of tax collection and management, including registration, filing, payment reporting, and management information systems.
“The ITAS will not only enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness for GRA but it will also foster transparency and trust among all stakeholders in the tax administration ecosystem,” he said.
The GRA designed the workshop specifically to engage the country’s Lawyers in a candid and constructive dialogue. Also to share with them the mechanics of the ITAS system, to demonstrate its functionalities, and to address any questions or concerns they may have.
Over the course of the Workshop, the GRA staff will delve into various facets of the new System, including its features, functionalities, and the benefits it brings.
