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.
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.
Financial Challenges Keep GAMCEL Out of First Nine-Digit Migration Phase
The Gambia Telecommunications Cellular Company Limited (GAMCEL)'s financial difficulties have emerged as a key reason the state-owned telecommunications operator was excluded from the first phase of the country’s migration from seven-digit to nine-digit telephone numbers, despite initial explanations that the delay was primarily due to “timing and technical readiness”.
More in this feature report.
Missed Inflation Target: Central Bank Governor Responds
The Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) had projected a 5% medium-term inflation target at the end of 2025; however, by January 2026, headline inflation had only declined to 6.4%, down from 6.6% in December 2025. Our reporter questioned the Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy about the missed 5% medium-term inflation target at the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing held on 20th August 2026.
More in this feature report.
FactCheck: Does the First Lady’s Office Receive Any Salaries?
The Gambia’s First Lady, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, has made headlines this week following allegations and counterclaims that she attempted to prevent Ebrima Dibba of the UNITE Party from boarding the same ferry on Sunday, 9th August 2026. However, one claim she made days after the alleged clash was that her office does not receive any salaries or budgetary allocations.
This FactCheck aims to verify if the First Lady’s claims are true or false.
NAWEC Reveals Breakdown of Donor Funds in Reaction to Askanwi Information Request
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has released a brief explanation of donor funding received after a request for information from Askanwi Media during an interview with the NAWEC PRO, Mr Buba Badjie, on 10th June 2026. After Askanwi Media followed up after the interview, the NAWEC PRO issued this response today: 23rd June 2026 to Askanwi Media, which is being reproduced below as received.
More in this exclusive publication.
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