Gambia finance minister proposes D66.78B budget
The proposed 2027 national budget includes D16.17 billion for debt servicing and D6.06 billion for education.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs will present the 2027 national budget of D66.78 billion to the National Assembly today. This represents a 12.5 per cent increase from the D59.36 billion approved for 2026.
Initial estimates show debt servicing will be the largest expenditure at D16.17 billion, about one-third of the D48.6 billion financed directly by the government. Basic and secondary education receives the largest sectoral allocation with D6.06 billion, followed by health at D4.10 billion.
The budget projects domestic revenue at D37.39 billion, with tax revenue expected to rise to D31.47 billion. Total revenue and grants are projected at D56.94 billion, leading to a gross budget deficit of D2.30 billion, or 0.99 per cent of the projected GDP. The government plans to borrow D7.63 billion domestically and D2.21 billion from foreign sources.
Why it mattersThe proposed budget affects all Gambians through government spending priorities and revenue collection.