By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Hon. Yankuba Darboe, has emphasized that the Gambia government has been assiduously working to align national laws and regulations with the provisions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement since its signing and ratification.
The Gambia’s tax administration boss described the creation of AfCFTA as a turning point in Africa’s march towards creating a single market.
“The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to create a single market for goods and services across the African continent. The Gambia, recognizing the immense potential of this agreement, signed the AfCFTA in 2018 and ratified it in 2019. Since then, our government has been actively working to align our national laws and regulations with the provisions of the Agreement,” CG Darboe highlighted in his statement at the opening ceremony of AfCFTA workshop for customs officers held in Banjul.
The Gambia’s revenue administration chief explained that the Gambia’s efforts to streamline its laws and regulations in AfCFTA protocol include the validation of the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and the harmonization of the country’s trade policies, procedures and regulations with the AfCFTA.
He underscored that the attainment of the noble objectives of AfCFTA is predicated on the efficiency and effectiveness of customs officials. “The success of the AfCFTA hinges on the efficiency and effectiveness of your work at the border posts and therefore the need to organise this workshop to sensitise border officers on the rules and procedures of the Agreement,” he highlighted.
CG Darboe explained that the workshop highlights the pivotal role customs officials and other border agencies play in making the vision of AfCFTA a reality.
“As the gatekeepers of our borders, you are responsible for enforcing trade regulations, collecting customs duties, and facilitating the smooth movement of goods,” he pointed out.
“The AfCFTA represents a historic milestone for the African continent, as it seeks to integrate the economies of all 55 member states into one continental market. This will not only boost intra-African trade, but also accelerate economic growth, industrialization, and job creation. If fully realised, the AfCFTA will position Africa as a major global trading bloc, increase intra-African trade, and open up new opportunities for businesses, enterpreneurs, and consumers across the continent,” the Gambia’s revenue mobilization boss added.
The thinking behind the workshop was to equip customs officers and other security agencies with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the AfCFTA and ensure its smooth operation.
“By fully understanding the rules, procedures, and benefits of the AfCFTA, you will be in a better position to faclitate trade, reduce beaurocratichurdles, and ultimately contribute to economic growth. This workshop should serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building, laying the groundwork for the full implementation of the AfCFTA in The Gambia,” he added.
“I urge each of you to take full advantage of this workshop, not just to earn a certificate but to gain a deep understanding of how the AfCFTA will impact your work and the nation’s economy. Engage actively with the resource persons, ask questions, and share your insiughts and experiences,” he tasked participants.
Hon. Darboe encouraged them to share with their work colleagues the knowledge and insights they would gain from the workshop.
“By doing so, you will help expand awareness of the AfcFTA across our Customs operations and enhance our collective capacity to implement its provisions effectively,” he stated.
He acknowledged “the exceptional role that the Ministry of Trade is playing in promoting trade and regional integration”.
“The Ministry’s support and collaboration have been instrumental in advancing our efforts to implement the AfCFTA. The GRA has received full support from the Ministry of Trade in the implementation of the various ongoing reforms and we deeply appreciate your support. We are partners in development,” he acknowledged.
CG Darboe said the Gambia Revenue Authority is committed to supporting this national strategy and ensuring that Gambia’s customs operations align with the requirments of the agreement.
“We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Trade and other key stakeholders to create a conducive environment for trade and investment in The Gambia,” he reaffirmed.
“In conclusion, I would like to thank the organizers of this workshop for their hard work and dedication and the resource persons for generously sharing their time and expertise to make this workshop a success. I wish all participants a fruitful and insightful experience. Together, we can make the AfCFTA a success and unlock the immense potential of the African continent,” concluded the GRA boss
