04 March, 2026
Using Performance Measurement To Drive Trade Facilitation In Gambia
By Adama Cham, Gambia Revenue Authority
Gambia Revenue Authority’s (GRA) strategic plan had long focused on improving revenue collection, but things changed in 2025 when trade facilitation was selected as one of the central pillars of a new plan. As GRA embarked on an ambitious reform and digital transformation agenda, its focus shifted toward strengthening the Authority’s performance culture, regarded as key to ensuring successful implementation of the reforms. To establish a robust performance measurement system, GRA decided to use the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) indicators and measurement processes.
A glimpse into GRA’s modernization journey and digital transformation
In recent years, GRA has undertaken a series of far-reaching reform initiatives. The rollout of ASYCUDA World has automated and streamlined clearance procedures, while the strides made in the implementation of the National Single Window have improved inter-agency coordination and reduced the time and cost of doing business. Additional enhancements, such as the installation of automated weighbridge systems and of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Cameras at all entry and exits points, have strengthened compliance and control mechanisms across trade corridors. More recently, the deployment of a traceability solution through the fixing of electronically verifiable excise stamps on excisable goods and refined fuels has introduced an advanced layer of digital security and revenue protection.
Moreover, key projects have been successfully conducted thanks to the strong and robust partnership established since 2021 with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with the aim of implementing the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA) – most notably with respect to Gambia’s Category B and C commitments. These included strengthening capacity to conduct Time Release Studies (TRS) on a regular basis, building on the first TRS conducted in 2019, and the deployment of the National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) application, the WCO tool to collect, store, analyse and disseminate law enforcement information efficiently in order to establish robust intelligence capabilities.