Africa-Press – Gambia. In a landmark step toward digital tax reform, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has officially launched its Electronic Invoicing (E-Invoicing) Project, a platform designed to improve transparency, enhance VAT compliance, and increase revenue collection across the country.
The launch event, held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Finance, marked a significant milestone in the GRA’s efforts to modernize tax administration and formalize the informal business sector. The system, developed in partnership with Worldwide AVATAR Technologies, is expected to revolutionize the way businesses issue invoices and report taxes.
Speaking at the launch, GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe described the initiative as a transformative reform aimed at building a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive tax system.
“This project is not just a win for the GRA—it is a win for every Gambian,” said Darboe. “Every dalasi transparently collected contributes directly to national development.”
He explained that the new E-Invoicing platform enables real-time invoicing, reduces manual paperwork, and addresses chronic issues such as tax evasion and underreporting, particularly in the VAT system. The platform is also expected to offer support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those currently operating in the informal sector.
Darboe noted that the GRA undertook a fact-finding mission to Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year, where a similar system has been successfully implemented. “We listened, we learned—and today, we begin our own journey,” he remarked.
Reassuring the business community, he emphasized that the platform is not punitive, but rather a tool to enhance accuracy and ease in tax reporting. He further assured that GRA will provide ongoing training and technical support to ensure a smooth and inclusive rollout.
“The success of this project depends not just on the technology, but on the cooperation and participation of our taxpayers,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Seedy Keita reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation in public finance management. He described the E-Invoicing platform as a strategic response to global economic challenges, including declining donor support and shifting international funding trends.
“In this new global climate, the only way forward is to look inward,” Minister Keita said, highlighting recent achievements such as the implementation of ASYCUDA World and the Single Window System as part of broader efforts to boost domestic resource mobilization.
According to Keita, the new system will provide the government with real-time data that will not only improve VAT compliance but also inform evidence-based tax policy and economic planning.
He called on all VAT-registered businesses and vendors to embrace the platform, stressing that the initiative does not introduce a new tax, but is instead a legal reform designed to improve compliance, accountability, and record-keeping.
Representing the technology partner, Nicholas St. Remy of Worldwide AVATAR Technologies, commended the GRA and the Government of The Gambia for their leadership and foresight.
“Our mission is to help governments unlock the full potential of their economies by making every transaction visible, verifiable, and valuable,” he said, pledging continued support for the GRA’s digital tax agenda.
He emphasized that the platform is built on principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusion, and is tailored to fit the unique economic context of The Gambia.
As implementation begins, stakeholders are optimistic in the E-Invoicing system will play a critical role in reshaping the tax landscape and deepening trust between the government and taxpayers.
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