[1] From 1997 to 2000, Kolley worked in the Gambian civil service as an economist at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

During his time at the Ministry, he coordinated Gambia through the initial stage of the World Bank's Capacity Building for Economic Management Project.

In this role, he continued as a member of the National Planning Commission, and also served as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the West African Insurance Institute and of the Africa Constituency Group I in the World Bank and the IMF.

[1] In March 2010, he was reappointed as the Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, with the portfolio of Industry removed.

He was appointed as Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources in February 2012, and then as Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in April 2012.