The Gambia spends D15.42 billion in first half of 2026

The Gambia spent D15.42 billion in the first six months of 2026, representing 42 percent of its approved D36.49 billion annual budget. Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy Keita presented these figures to the National Assembly, noting that total government expenditure and net lending increased by 6 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

Debt interest payments reached D3.10 billion by mid-year, which is 45 percent of the total amount budgeted for the entire year. This figure reflects an 18 percent increase from the same period in 2025. Domestic debt interest accounted for D2.50 billion, a 17 percent year-on-year increase, while external debt interest rose 21 percent to D600 million.

Major expenditure categories included personnel emoluments at D5.06 billion and subsidies and transfers at D3.62 billion. Combined with debt interest, these three items accounted for approximately three-quarters of total government outlays. On the revenue side, domestic collections rose 8 percent to D15.35 billion, driven by increases in corporate, personal, and rental income taxes. Despite the revenue growth, expenditure slightly outpaced income, resulting in a gross deficit of D68.86 million.