Incentives
To encourage sustainable investment into priority sectors and regions of The Gambia, GIEPA offers a variety of incentives for investors. These include a Special Investment Certificate (SIC), Export Processing Zone Liscense (EPZL) and a variety of individual indentives.
In accordance with the GIEPA Act 2015, the following priority sectors and regions of The Gambia are eligible to receive incentives:
Priority Sectors: Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, Forestry, Manufacturing, Energy and Other Services.
Priority Regions: The West Coast, Lower River Region, North Bank, Central River Region, Upper River Region
SPECIAL INVESTMENT CERTIFICATE (SIC)
The SIC is the main incentive scheme and is available for domestic and foreign investors if they invest a minimum of, respectively, $100,000 and $250,000 in a priority sector and/or in a priority area, employ a minimum number of Gambians set by the regulations, or create value addition.
Fiscal incentives include exemption from income tax for five years for priority sectors and eight years for priority areas; annual allowance at the rate of 15% for the depreciation of buildings, including structural improvements and notwithstanding the rate provided in Schedule III of the Income and Value Added Tax (VAT) Act (2012); exemption from import duty with respect to capital goods; and an exemption from import VAT for five years.
To apply for the SIC, applicants must submit an SIC application along with the following required documents:
- A detailed project proposal document (soft and hard copy)
- A copy of Certificate of Incorporation
- Copies of the company’s Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association
- A copy of the Business Registration Certificate
- A copy of Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Evidence of funding for the project
- List of goods to be imported (soft and hard copy)
- The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (if applicable)
- Environmental Impact Assessment (if applicable)
The SIC Application and a detailed list of all such required documents can be downloaded below. All documents can be submitted to GIEPA in person by visiting the GIEPA office or via email to info@giepa.gm
EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE LISCENSE INCENTIVES
Export incentives schemes are available for enterprises either operating outside or in an export processing zone. Investors operating in export processing zones shall be allowed to do so for a maximum period of ten years.
An Export Processing Zone License (EPZL) holder exporting at least 80% of its outputs shall benefit from the following incentives under the GIEPA Act:
- Corporate or Turnover Tax
- Withholding Tax on Dividends
- Value Added Tax on Imported Direct Inputs
- Depreciation Allowance
- Import Duty on Imported Direct Inputs
- Excise Duty on Imported Direct Inputs
- Waiver on Municipal Tax
Export Processing Zone License (EPZL) holders exporting at least 30% of its outputs can benefit from the following incentives under the GIEPA Act:
- 10% Concession on corporate/turnover tax for 5 years
- Financial planning services and advice
To apply for the EPZ Liscense, applicants must complete an EPZ Liscense Application and submit it to GIEPA along with required documentation. The EPZ Liscense Application and detailed list of all such required documents can be downloaded below and submitted to GIEPA in person by visiting the GIEPA office or via email to info@giepa.gm
INDIVIDUAL INCENTIVES
All Investors are strongly encouraged to apply for the SIC which will grant all of the below incentives, but individual applications may be better suited for investors that are not eligible for the SIC or those wishing to obtain only certain incentives.
Individual incentives can be applied for by following the below steps.
How to Receive Incentives Steps
# | Incentive and Instructions | Institution | URL | Document |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Corporate Tax Wavier - Complete Corporation Turnover Tax Waiver application through Gambia Revenue Authority website | Gambia Revenue Authority | GRA.gm | Available through URL on GRA website |
2 | Import Duty Waiver – apply through each ministry for relevant sector | Websites for each sector’s ministry are as follows: Energy Public Utilities Revenue Authority ICT Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure Fisheries Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture - Financial Services Central Bank of the Gambia Tourism Gambia Tourism Board Food Productions Food Safety and Quality Authority |
Energy – pura.gm ICT – www.moici.gov.gm Fisheries – www.mofwr.gm Agriculture – moa.gov.gm Financial Services – www.cbg.gm Food Productions – fsqa.gm |
Go to sector institution to fill out application |
3 | Import VAT Waiver – for import VAT wavier apply through Gambia Revenue Authority website | Gambia Revenue Authority | GRA.gm | Apply through institution |
4 | Depreciation Allowance of 15% - apply for depreciation allowance of up to 15% through Gambia Revenue Authority | Gambia Revenue Authority | GRA.gm | Apply through institution |