The Price of Being a Citizen: How Ordinary Citizens Capitalise on the National ID Card Process
The final instalment of Askanwi Media’s National ID Card investigation reveals that some citizens paid up to D815 to obtain a National ID Card, excluding multiple transportation costs. This contradicts the government spokesperson’s announcement that National ID Cards should cost D450.
The price hike is driven by individuals and institutions capitalising on the process, with forms that should be free being sold alongside charges for filling them out and obtaining authentication stamps.
Beyond the increased costs, many applicants have faced frustration due to repeated electricity blackouts and poor internet connections, forcing them to make multiple trips to the Immigration Office.
More in the investigation.
NAO Responds to Askanwi Publication on AG’s Salary and Allowances Totalling D175k
After Askanwi published an article questioning the Auditor General’s salary in the 2027 Draft Budget, we received the following clarification from the National Audit Office (NAO).
Read their response and editor's notes in the publication.
Chief Justice’s Allowances Exceed Salary as Questions Mount Over Auditor General’s Pay
Allowances can sometimes exceed basic salaries, as appears to be the case with the Chief Justice in the 2027 Draft Budget. According to the 2027 Draft Budget, the Chief Justice’s allowances total D1.4 million, exceeding his D1.2 million basic salary. The Auditor General’s allowances, however, are much more difficult to ascertain.
More in this budget report.
Top Officials Salary Race Continues with Chief Justice and Auditor General Salary Increases
The race for salary increases among the highest-earning government officials continues in 2027, with the Chief Justice and Auditor General set for significant increases. According to the 2027 Draft Budget, the Chief Justice’s salary is set to increase by 27.4%, from D941,850 in 2026 to D1.2 million in 2027. Meanwhile, the Auditor General’s salary is projected to increase from D706,250 in 2026 to D2.1 million in 2027 — a staggering 198% increase.
More in this budget report.
Manjai Football Teams Boycott Nawettan as Dispute Over Pitch Ownership Drags
Four Manjai-based football teams have boycotted the 2026 Nawettan for a second consecutive year amid an ongoing dispute over the ownership and management of Father Gough Sports Complex, commonly known as Manjai Park.
More in this feature publication.
The Price of Being a Citizen: Is Ecobank Capitalising on the National ID Card Process?
In this second publication on the “The Price of Being a Citizen” investigation, Askanwi reveals that the cost of paying for a National Identification Card is more than the government’s announced D450. Askanwi takes Ecobank to task about their practice of urging applicants to pay via the Ecobank Mobile Application and denying them the chance of paying over the counter at their Senegambia branch.
Given our revelations on the additional charges, Askanwi queries Ecobank if they are capitalising on the National ID Card process.
The Price of Being a Citizen: Capitalising on the National ID Card Application Process
A National ID Card may officially cost D450, and its application forms may officially be free; however, our investigation has revealed that the cost of paying for a National ID Card was actually more than announced.
According to the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), applicants who paid for their National ID Cards and enrolled at their offices should be able to acquire one within 10 minutes; however, our reporters have had to endure two weeks of constant follow-ups before one of them could acquire their ID Card.
More in this investigation.
Domestic Debt Interest Surpasses Education Funding in 2027 Draft Budget
The Gambia’s Minister of Finance tabled the 2027 Draft Budget in Parliament on 25th September 2026, requesting a domestic debt interest payment exceeding funding for education and health separately. Askanwi’s budget research has revealed that in 2025 and 2026, education funding (MoBSE and MoHERST) was above domestic debt interest. However, this is all set to change in the 2027 Draft Budget.
More in this budget report.
Almost D380 Million Short? Finance Minister Under-reports Domestic Debt Interest
A comparison between the Finance Minister’s latest Budget Implementation Report to Parliament and the Government’s own Public Debt Bulletins has revealed that Finance Minister Keita under-reported domestic debt interest payments by up to D376 million for the first six months of 2026.
More in this feature publication.
Finance Minister: D10 Billion Domestic Debt is Legacy Debt from Previous Regime
The Gambia’s Finance Minister, Hon. Seedy S. Keita, has revealed that approximately D10 billion of the country’s D52.91 billion domestic debt stock consists of legacy debts inherited from the previous administration of former President Yahya Jammeh. Our budget research reveals that this only accounts for 19% of the total domestic debt.
More in this news report from the Finance Minister’s Parliamentary Budget Implementation Report.
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