Covid Billions: Finance Minister Says D1 Billion Landed in Government Account
The Gambia’s Finance Minister, Hon. Mambury Njie, informed members of the National Assembly’s Special Committee that the government received one billion dalasis in its accounts on 20th April 2020. The Minister explained that the “very soft loan from the IMF has now landed in our account. It’s a facility that they [IMF] normally provide. It’s about one billion dalasis.” More in this feature report.
Government to Sell 80% of Gamcel Shares to YCell for D6.7 Billion Investment
The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Hon. Lamin Jabbie, has informed lawmakers that 80% of Gamcel shares will be sold to Ycell under a proposed public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with the Government.
More in this feature publication, which details YCell’s lack of expertise compared to its partners and their lofty ambitions to invest D6.7 billion in Gamcel.
Record Budget Deficit: D7 billion Recorded in First Nine Months of 2025
Finance Minister Seedy Keita informed Parliamentarians that a record budget deficit of D7 billion was observed from the first nine months of 2025. Our budget researchers have ascertained that this has broken all records set for budget deficits since President Barrow took over from former President Jammeh in 2017. More in our feature publication interrogating the actual and approved budget deficit from 2017 to date.
FactCheck: What did the Finance Minister tell Parliamentarians on Debt Servicing?
A disagreement has erupted between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), Foroyaa Newspaper, and renowned civil society advocate Mr. Madi Jobarteh, resulting in claims and counterclaims that 80% of The Gambia’s debt is from the previous administration of President Yahya Jammeh. Find out exactly what the Finance Minister stated on the Debt Service.
FactCheck: Has Agriculture Budget Increased by 84% from 2025 to 2026?
During a parliamentary engagement, Finance Minister Hon. Seedy S. Keita told the National Assembly Member that “Agriculture attracts an increase of 84% in 2026 from 2025, the largest allocation in the last ten years.” Our reporter looked at the data to ascertain if the Finance Minister’s claims are accurate.
More in the feature report.
How President Barrow Overspent D173 Million on the Meet the People’s Tour
This week marks the start of President Adama Barrow’s eighth Meet the People’s Tour, mandated by the 1997 Constitution. Our budget analysis reveals that, over the years, President Barrow has spent more than D246 million on the tour, despite Parliament only approving D72 million for the same period. This means President Barrow overspent by D173 million — an increase of approximately 340%. More in the budget analysis report.
Finance Minister to Table Cabinet 2026 Budget Proposal Requesting D59.3 Billion in Expenditures
The Finance Minister is set to table Cabinet’s 2026 Draft Budget in Parliament on Friday, 31st October 2025, requesting for National Assembly Members to approve D59.3 billion in expenditures for 2026. This publication contrasts the government spending on recurrent and development expenditures and highlights the whopping D13.4 billion National Debt Service. More in the report.
FactSheet: How Parliamentarians Voted Down Gambia’s 2024 Draft Constitution
After lawmakers in the Sixth Legislature voted down the 2024 Draft Constitution during its Second Reading, The Gambia’s constitutional reform process has suffered its second major setback under President Adama Barrow’s administration. This FactSheet breaks down how each Member of Parliament voted and explains the significance of the Second Reading in the legislative process.
Finance Minister Grilled in Parliament Over Incomplete Budget Report
The Gambia’s Finance Minister, Hon. Seedy S. Keita, came under intense pressure from lawmakers to deliver a more comprehensive budget implementation report, including detailed expenditure breakdowns for each Ministry. However, Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta appeared to shield the Minister from deeper scrutiny and failed to demand an overdue budget implementation report on the 2024 budget, which should have been presented during the First Ordinary Session. More in our feature report.
Finance Minister Set to Deliver Budget Implementation Update After Multiple No-Shows
After months of delays and repeated absences, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy Keita, is once again scheduled to appear before the National Assembly to deliver a long-overdue oral statement on the full implementation and monitoring of the 2024 and the first quarter of the 2025 national budget. More in the report.
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