IMF Staff Concludes Governance Diagnostic for The Gambia
IMF News, January 26, 2023
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Bibliographic details
- Published: January 26, 2023
Mission scope and timeline
- At the request of The Gambia authorities, an IMF mission led by Olivier Basdevant visited Banjul over the period January 10—24, 2023, to conduct a diagnostic of governance and corruption vulnerabilities in The Gambia.
- The diagnostic follows the IMF’s framework for Enhanced Engagement in Addressing Governance Vulnerabilities.
- Collaboration on the Governance Diagnostic will continue until the exercise concludes with the finalization of a report setting out detailed findings and recommendations.
Key observations and findings
- Progress on legal framework:
- Since 2017, The Gambia has been engaged in governance reforms, with new laws including:
- 2018 Central Bank Act
- access to information law 2021
- public procurement act 2022
- bills on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, public finances, state-owned enterprises, and banking
- The authorities have brought various legislations in line with best practices, though some provisions could be improved (see anti-corruption commission independence and enforcement below).
- Modernization and digitalization efforts:
- Modernizing processes, in part through digitalization and automation, including the GRA rolling out the Automated System for Customs Data, ASYCUDA World, and ongoing efforts to develop an e-procurement platform.
- Remaining vulnerabilities:
- Public processes appear vulnerable to corruption and uneven decisions owing to limited digitalization and undefined conditions for applying discretionary powers; observed in procurement, staff recruitment, and enforcement of contractual and property rights.
- Official records are often paper-based; both access and reliability appear to be challenging.
- Official public websites and e-platforms where they exist are not always up to date.
- Administrative capacity:
- Administrative capacity is limited, hampering delivery of timely and quality public services.
- Existing resources could be focused on the highest risks; the mission welcomes the authorities’ intention to continue strengthening their capacity.
- Anti-corruption and AML/CFT framework:
- The mission commends the authorities for their anti-corruption efforts, notably with a bill broadly aligned with best practices, even though some provisions could be improved (independence of the anti-corruption commission, and effective enforcement).
- The mission encouraged authorities’ efforts in bringing their anti-corruption framework in line with best practices, including their asset declaration and conflicts regime.
- The mission welcomes the authorities’ intention to address the deficiencies of AML/CFT frameworks identified in the 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
- Central Bank governance:
- The Central Bank of The Gambia is encouraged to continue efforts to further strengthen oversight and internal governance arrangements, including for banking supervision.
Recommendations and forward-looking support
- Continue legal and institutional reforms to align with best practices, addressing specific deficiencies in anti-corruption legislation (notably independence and enforcement of the anti-corruption commission).
- Accelerate digitalization and automation of public records and processes to reduce corruption vulnerabilities and improve reliability and access to official records.
- Define and limit discretionary powers in public processes to reduce uneven decision-making in procurement, staff recruitment, and enforcement of contractual and property rights.
- Prioritize administrative capacity building and focus existing resources on the highest risks to improve delivery of timely and quality public services.
- Address AML/CFT deficiencies identified by GIABA’s 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report.
- Strengthen oversight and internal governance arrangements at the Central Bank of The Gambia, including for banking supervision.
- Develop a comprehensive national strategy for good governance, informed by the forthcoming IMF governance diagnostic report and supported by The Gambia development partners.
- The IMF stands ready to support the authorities through continued capacity development.
Engagement and acknowledgements
- The mission met the Honorable Mr. Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs; Mr. Dawda Jallow, Minister of Justice; and Mr. Buah Saidy, Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, as well as other senior officials, and representatives of the private sector, civil society and of international development partners.
- The IMF team thanked The Gambia authorities and counterparts for their hospitality, excellent cooperation, and candid and constructive discussions.
Press Release No. 23/18, IMF Communications Department, January 26, 2023.