2027 Budget Takes Centre Stage as National Assembly Unveils Packed Legislative Agenda

The National Assembly on Thursday briefed the press on the agenda and procedural roadmap for its Third and Fourth Ordinary Sessions of the 2026 Legislative Year, with the scrutiny of the 2027 National Budget expected to be a major focus.

The joint sessions are scheduled to run from Monday, 7 September to Thursday, 29 October 2026. The briefing was presided over by Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, and attended by the Deputy Clerk for Administration and Finance, as well as the Majority and Minority Leaders.

In outlining the Assembly’s priorities, Speaker Jatta said the sessions would centre on three key areas: parliamentary oversight, continued legal reforms, and the examination of the 2027 National Budget.

Several Bills are also expected to reach their final stages of consideration, including the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2026, the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, 2025, and the Intellectual Property Bill, 2025.

The Speaker said the legislative programme would also include measures aimed at strengthening various sectors of the economy and improving the country’s governance and legal frameworks.

A major part of the sessions will be the presentation and examination of the 2027 national budget.

According to the Speaker, the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs is scheduled to present the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure to the Assembly on Friday, 25 September 2026. The presentation will formally begin parliamentary consideration of the government’s financial plans for the next fiscal year.

The Assembly is also expected to consider motions seeking the ratification of several international agreements, including instruments related to the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Clerk for Finance and Administration, Buba M. E. Jatta, said the sessions would begin with an Oral Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs on the implementation and monitoring of the annual budget.

He said the statement would give lawmakers an opportunity to receive updates on fiscal performance and the implementation of the current budget.

Jatta also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to transparency, procedural integrity and the rule of law.

He said the Office of the Clerk would continue making official documents, Order Papers, committee reports and procedural clarifications available to the media in a timely and structured manner.

The press briefing is part of the National Assembly’s efforts to strengthen its engagement with the media and improve public access to information on parliamentary proceedings.

With the 2027 Budget, key legislative reforms and parliamentary oversight all on the agenda, the upcoming sessions are expected to be closely watched as lawmakers resume legislative business.