The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO), has launched a week-long Post Clearance Audit (PCA) National Diagnostic and Gap Analysis Mission aimed at strengthening customs compliance, facilitating trade and improving domestic revenue mobilisation.

The mission, supported by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) under the WCO Capacity Building Programme, brings together customs experts from the WCO, Zambia Revenue Authority and GRA officials to assess The Gambia’s post-clearance audit system against international standards.

Opening the programme, GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe said the initiative marks another significant step in the Authority’s customs modernisation agenda.

He said customs administrations are increasingly expected not only to collect revenue at the border but also to facilitate legitimate trade, secure supply chains and promote voluntary compliance through intelligence-led and risk-based approaches.

“A robust Post Clearance Audit programme allows Customs to speed up the release of goods while ensuring compliance through systematic audits after clearance,” he said.

Darboe noted that GRA has made significant progress in recent years through the rollout of major reforms, including the migration to ASYCUDA World in 2022, the introduction of the National Single Window platform, deployment of an electronic cargo tracking system and investment in container scanning technology.

According to him, these reforms have reduced cargo clearance times, improved transparency and contributed to record revenue performance, with monthly customs collections now consistently exceeding D1 billion.

He, however, stressed that automation at the border must be complemented by stronger post-clearance controls to protect government revenue while facilitating trade.

The WCO mission will assess GRA’s legal framework, audit methodologies, organisational structure, risk management systems and human resource capacity before producing recommendations to further strengthen the Authority’s Post Clearance Audit programme.

Acting Commissioner of Customs and Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement, Yusupha Cham, described Post Clearance Audit as one of GRA’s biggest reform success stories.

“We started this journey in about 2003, and today PCA is an exciting example of a reform that has been one of the most successful in our time at GRA,” Cham said.

He praised GRA management for its continued investment in the programme and commended customs auditors for maintaining professionalism despite handling sensitive compliance investigations.

Speaking on behalf of the World Customs Organization, Lead Technical Expert Arman Zhalitov praised GRA for consistently implementing international customs standards and delivering reforms under the WCO Accelerated Trade Facilitation Programme.

He highlighted the Authority’s work on authorised economic operators, coordinated border management, performance measurement and trade facilitation as examples of successful collaboration with the WCO.

By Adama Makasuba