A frontier investment with muscle

In a global economy short on credible growth plays, Guyana has quietly emerged as a standout nation. Nestled between Brazil and the Atlantic, this rising frontier market is posting world-leading growth numbers, with 43% expansion of its gross domestic product in 2024 alone, capping five consecutive years of double-digit expansion. Guyana’s remarkable growth has been fueled by natural resources but sustained by sound and disciplined management. Year-over-year gains of this scale do not happen by chance. They reflect prudent leadership, disciplined fiscal policy and long-term commitments to institutional resilience.

The jaguar – native to northern Brazil, Guyana and Suriname – is a powerful symbol of this region’s emerging economic trajectory. Like its namesake, the jaguar economies are fast-moving, efficient and built for strength. These nations are leveraging newfound hydrocarbon wealth to catalyze broader, diversified growth rooted in agriculture, logistics and clean energy. Just as the tiger economies of Southeast Asia defined a manufacturing-led boom four decades ago, the jaguar economies of the Guiana Shield are now charting a distinct model: resource-powered, investment-disciplined and globally strategic.

Under the leadership of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana has anchored its transformation in fiscal governance and institutional reinvestment. Its Natural Resource Fund – now worth billions – is governed by strict rules. Rather than fueling short-term consumption, it is being channeled into long-term competitiveness, infrastructure, education, energy, climate security, biodiversity and digital systems. What is emerging in Guyana is rare among frontier markets; we are developing a diversified, rule-based economy built for both resilience and returns.

“For investors looking to build exposure to the next frontier of clean, credible and capital-efficient investment, Guyana is not only open for business but is also redefining what frontier investing can look like.”

Dr. Peter R. Ramsaroop
Chief Investment Officer and CEO of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest)

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  The 1GY portfolio: a sovereign asset class

  To make sense of this opportunity, it is helpful to think of Guyana not as a commodity play but as a sovereign portfolio – what we call the 1GY Ticker. Like a well-constructed fund, each sector functions as an asset class, contributing to a balanced and resilient growth model.
  
  At the forefront is our oil and gas industry, the high-beta growth stock. With ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation developing the Stabroek block, daily production has surpassed 600,000 barrels, with a target to hit 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027. The block is one of ExxonMobil’s highest-return assets globally.
  
  Our flagship Gas-to-Energy project represents our utility stock. The $1.3-billion gas-to-shore project will supply 300 megawatts of power, cutting industrial energy costs below $0.15 per kilowatt-hour, fueling downstream manufacturing and lowering business friction. A further 300 megawatts is planned to support the country’s long-term industrial development.
  
  Unlocking our renewables potential represents our environmental, social and governance (ESG) growth fund. Guyana is aiming for renewable energy to represent 70% of our energy mix by 2030, supported by multilateral financing. For ESG investors, this is not theory – it is execution. Similarly, our carbon credits scheme is our ESG exchange-traded fund. Under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions – The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard framework, Guyana is the first nation to issue jurisdictional carbon credits at scale. Hess Corporation has committed $750 million through 2030, and Apple has already purchased credits, indicating rising institutional demand.
  
  The development of our information and communications technology and artificial intelligence segments represents our technology-linked initial public offering. With the $1.3-billion ICT Master Plan underway, Guyana is laying fiber networks, modernizing public services and positioning the nation as a nearshore data and fintech hub. The country offers time zone alignment, an English-speaking workforce educated in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and low energy costs, making it an ideal destination for the development of artificial intelligence and cloud technologies.
  
  Our light manufacturing and electric vehicles segments represent our industrial growth stock. The arrival of electric-vehicle giant BYD in 2025 marks Guyana’s pivot into green industrialization. Projects like Silica City and expanded deepwater ports in Berbice and Demerara are fast-tracking Guyana as a logistics and assembly base for the region. Additionally, unlocking Guyana’s gold potential represents our sovereign bond equivalent. With nearly $1 billion in export earnings in 2024, gold continues to hedge macro risk and stabilize reserves, especially vital in a dual-commodity environment.

  

  Food sovereignty and strategic geography

  Agriculture is a key focus for Guyana and represents an unparalleled dividend stock for investors. Guyana is the only country in the world to be self-sufficient in all seven food groups and is strategically positioning itself as a leading food exporter. Rice exports exceeded $250 million in 2024. The country also leads in the Caribbean Community and Common Market’s 25 by 2025+ food import reduction initiative, which has been expanded to 2030.
  
  In a region that imports $6 billion to $8 billion in food annually, President Ali’s book, Achieving Global Food Security, outlines key policies to boost regional food security through innovation and leveraging comparative advantages. Guyana’s agricultural self-sufficiency is more than national pride; it is geopolitical leverage. Its Loop Strategy, which involves linking Northern Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana and the Caribbean, extends this advantage across a 400-million-person market via modern trade corridors and preferential agreements.
  
  Guyana is also exploring regional investment synergies – what we call investment twinning – by linking complementary assets across borders. For example, tourism strategies are being developed in coordination with neighboring countries, offering investors opportunities that span beach destinations in Barbados and eco-tourism in Guyana’s Amazon region.

  The sustainability edge: a clean dollar, credible investment

  Over 85% of Guyana’s land is covered in rainforest, forming part of the Guiana Shield – one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on earth. Through its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, the government is converting this natural capital into high-integrity carbon markets, forest-based credits and nature-linked sovereign finance instruments. As global demand rises for investments that combine environmental responsibility with measurable returns, Guyana is setting the pace. Its carbon credits offer scale, transparency and financial performance, anchored by strong legal and institutional frameworks.
  
  Frontier markets typically force investors to choose between governance or growth, stability or upside, responsibility or returns. However, Guyana is managing to offer all three. It has ISO 9001-certified investment facilitation, transparent legal protections and a reform-driven public sector model under the One Guyana initiative. The jaguar economy is not a headline but a framework; it is a sovereign asset class with real muscle and room to run. For investors looking to build exposure to the next frontier of clean, credible and capital-efficient investment, Guyana is not only open for business but is also redefining what frontier investing can look like.

Natural Resources

From Stabroek to Sovereign Wealth

Backed by vast oil and gas reserves and a cascade of upstream projects on the horizon, Guyana is rewriting the frontier oil playbook by anchoring its growth on fiscal reform, foreign investment and long-term nation building.

Since its first major oil strike in 2015, Guyana has rocketed to energy prominence with relentless discoveries and breakneck output growth, triggering a state-led infrastructure surge and redefining its place in the global economy. At the heart of the boom is the prolific 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block, now estimated to hold 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent – around half the proven reserves of the entire United States. “While oil and gas production will continue to anchor our growth – rising to 1.3 million barrels per day in just a few years – opportunities extend far beyond hydrocarbons,” said Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Outar Bharrat. “Key sectors such as agriculture, forestry, mineral resources, ecotourism, renewable energy, manufacturing and infrastructure all stand to benefit.”

In 2025 alone, the local government’s oil revenues are expected to reach $2.5 billion, including $2.16 billion from oil sales and $341 million in royalties. These earnings flow directly into the country’s sovereign wealth vehicle, the Natural Resource Fund, established in 2019, which is now central to Guyana’s blueprint for long-term industrial expansion and nationwide social development. The fund is designed to manage oil revenues responsibly, cushion the economy against volatility and safeguard wealth for future generations. “We are building the Guyana of tomorrow on the solid foundation laid by prudent resource management today,” said Bharrat.

Following its first oil discovery, Guyana introduced a formal production sharing agreement framework in 2016, setting fiscal terms for upstream activity. This model – still applied to the Stabroek Block – allows operators to recover up to 75% of oil revenues, with the remainder split between the government and consortium, alongside a fixed 2% royalty. In 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources unveiled a revamped production sharing agreement model for new licensing rounds, slashing the cost recovery ceiling to 65%, hiking royalties to 10% and introducing a 10% corporate tax – marking a strategic shift to secure greater long-term value for the state.

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  Stabroek’s next phase

  The offshore Stabroek Block is operated by US energy giant ExxonMobil, which holds a controlling 45% stake, alongside its counterpart Chevron with 30% and China’s China National Offshore Oil Corporation with the remaining 25%. In July 2025, US energy giant Chevron cemented its position in the consortium by fully acquiring Hess Corporation – formerly the holder of the 30% share – through a landmark ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. The block currently contains all producing fields in Guyana.
  
  Production currently flows from three major fields: Liza-1, Guyana’s historic first discovery that came online in 2019; Liza-2, which began pumping in 2022; and Payara, operational since 2023. Each site is linked to a dedicated floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity – now operating near full capacity at 141,000 bpd, 260,000 bpd and 260,000 bpd, respectively. In May 2025, Guyana’s offshore oil production surged to a record 667,000 bpd, driven by increased output from its key fields such as Liza 2 and Payara.
  
  Momentum continued in April 2025 with the ExxonMobil-led consortium initiating the installation of its fourth production vessel, the One Guyana FPSO, designed to add production capacity of 250,000 bpd sourced from the Yellowtail field and boost total capacity at the block to approximately 940,000 bpd. Moving forward, the commissioning of two more FPSOs has already been sanctioned: the 250,000-bpd Whiptail FPSO and the 150,000-bpd Hammerhead FPSO, scheduled to begin production in 2027 and 2029, respectively.

  

  Diversifying the upstream playbook

  With production still heavily weighted toward oil, ExxonMobil’s unveiling of the Wales Gas Vision at the Guyana Energy Conference in February 2025 marked a strategic pivot towards natural gas as a critical enabler of the country’s downstream ambitions. The initiative is designed to fuel the flagship Gas-to-Energy project, set to begin operations in late 2025 or early 2026, as well as a planned offshore LNG facility operated by Fulcrum LNG that will supply gas to the Berbice region for fertilizer and alumina production.
  
  Gas for these developments will be sourced from future upstream projects, including ExxonMobil’s proposed Longtail project on the Stabroek block. The upcoming gas field project is expected to deliver 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day, with the final investment decision anticipated in 2026. The upcoming Hammerhead project is also set to further power Guyana’s gas push, with up to 95 million cubic feet per day slated for production via its FPSO. Moving forward, the signing of additional production sharing contracts is anticipated in 2025 and 2026 associated with Guyana’s 2022 bid round – namely Blocks S4, S5, S7 and S10 – to bring greater diversity to the country’s oil and gas projects and operators.

Infrastructure

Building the Backbone for Growth

As oil riches fuel a fiscal transformation, Guyana is channeling its momentum into bricks, bandwidth and bridges, redrawing the map for trade, connectivity and long-term economic resilience.

Guyana is undergoing a transformative infrastructure expansion fueled by its rapid emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, largely driven by significant offshore oil discoveries and production. This infrastructure push is supported by a strategic framework known as the Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040, which is focused on driving climate-resilient and sustainable growth. “Guyana’s geographic location and expanding oil economy make it uniquely positioned to serve as a regional logistics and trade hub,” said Juan Edghill, Guyana’s Minister of Public Works. “To meet this goal, the government has embarked on a robust infrastructure modernization program, targeting roads, bridges, ports and airports.”

Guyana is currently undergoing the largest road rehabilitation initiative in its history, with a record $977 million allocated for roads and bridges under the 2025 national budget. Key allocations include $81.7 million for the Railway Embankment Road upgrade on the East Coast of Demerara and $72.4 million for the East Bank–East Coast Road link connecting Ogle and Eccles. An additional $46.7 million is also being allocated for improvements to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway to cut travel time to Linden, the nation’s second-largest city. An additional $42 million is being invested in hinterland road upgrades across Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9.

Other flagship developments include the toll-free McKenzie/Wismar, Berbice and Demerara River bridges, effective since August 1, 2025. Additionally, plans are underway for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge and the Corentyne Highway expansion to boost cross-border connectivity with Suriname. In February 2025, the World Bank approved funding of $156 million towards the six-year Integrated Transport Corridors Project, which is expected to see an uptick in upgrade and rehabilitation activities along key road corridors in Guyana’s coastal regions and selected areas vulnerable to natural hazards.

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  Alongside major upgrades to its ground logistics network, Guyana is scaling up its aviation infrastructure to fuel the rise of its tourism sector, boost cargo trade and establish itself as a globally recognized aviation hub. “Despite the impact of COVID-19, we handled 856,000 passengers in 2024, with double-digit increases in passenger numbers since 2022,” said Ramesh Ghir, CEO of Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation, underscoring the urgency of rehabilitation efforts to meet rising demand. “We have successfully launched new transatlantic services with KLM, British Airways and Air Transat, alongside expanding our North American network through partnerships with United Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue.”
  
  At the forefront of Guyana’s aviation modernization drive is the expansion of Cheddi Jagan International Airport, announced in February 2024. In January 2025, the government committed approximately $31 million to build a state-of-the-art second terminal at the airport. Spanning 150,000 square feet, the new section will feature duty-free zones, retail outlets, lounges and dedicated facilities for both arrivals and departures. The airport is also undergoing a major modernization push, including the construction of a new administration building, the installation of a state-of-the-art inline baggage handling system and extension of its international apron. Outside of its flagship international airport, Guyana spent around $9.3 million in 2024 on rehabilitating and expanding hinterland airstrips and regional airports, with an additional $11.7 million allocated for 2025.
  
  Guyana is also accelerating the transformation of its power sector, with its national utility leading the charge toward full electrification by 2030. Guyana Power and Light (GPL) currently manages 300 MW in generation capacity, with major upgrades underway to meet rising demand and tap into energy export markets. At the center of this transformation is the landmark Gas-to-Energy project. The integrated complex in Wales, West Bank Demerara, will feature a 300-MW combined cycle gas power plant and a natural gas liquids processing facility connected to a 124-mile pipeline capable of transporting 50 million cubic feet of gas per day from ExxonMobil’s offshore fields.

  

  In April 2025, the Export-Import Bank of the United States committed a further $527 million to finance to the project. The colossal development – the largest public investment in Guyana’s history – is set to effectively double the nation’s installed power capacity upon its completion in late 2025 or early 2026. The project’s planned second phase is expected to double its power generation capacity, with bids for its design and construction extended from January 2025 to March 2025.
  
  GPL is also actively spearheading Guyana’s energy transition under the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, with a target set to incorporate renewables into 75% of the nation’s energy mix by 2030. As part of this effort, the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Program – launched in 2022 – is on track to deliver 33 MW of new solar capacity across Linden, the Essequibo Coast and Berbice by October 2026. Among these projects is the flagship 15-MW Linden solar farm, which is set to become the largest solar facility in the country.
  
  Another cornerstone of Guyana’s clean energy strategy is the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, designed to deliver 165 MW of renewable power to the national grid from a site along the Kuribrong River in west-central Guyana. Although its launch has been deferred to 2029 to prioritize funding for the second phase of the Gas-to-Energy project, Kesh Nandlall, head of the executive management committee for GPL, emphasizes that Amaila Falls remains a vital component in achieving the country’s long-term energy transition goals. “As Guyana continues to experience rapid industrialization and urban expansions, GPL’s strategic initiatives are aligned with the government’s vision for a resilient and inclusive energy sector,” he said.

  

ICT

From Fiber to 5G

Guyana is charting an ambitious course to become a regional leader in digital infrastructure. With bold investment, cross-border links and nationwide coverage plans, the nation is rapidly unlocking opportunities for business, innovation and global partnerships.

A key pillar of Guyana’s Vision 2040 strategy is the rapid expansion of its information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, driven by soaring demand from fast-growing sectors like energy, logistics, construction and financial services. The country’s digital investment market is projected to reach $83.5 million in 2025, with total transaction value expected to grow at an annual rate of more than 6% through 2029. Broad digital investment – including developing e-commerce, fintech and e-government – is expected to grow at near double-digit rates through the end of the decade on the back of Guyana’s National ICT Masterplan 2030.

The foundation for this momentum was laid in 2020 when Guyana liberalized its telecommunications market, triggering a 40% jump in cable and broadband investment from 2020 to 2023. The move sparked a surge in subscriptions across major providers such as ENet, Digicel and GTT. “The liberalization of our telecommunications sector stands out as a major win for the government,” said Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips. In 2024, Guyana’s ICT regulator, Telecommunications Agency, further updated licensing conditions to promote infrastructure sharing and fair competition, setting the stage for the large-scale rollout of fiber networks, upcoming 5G services and submarine cable expansion.

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  Guyana’s connectivity buildout

  Following the liberalization of Guyana’s telecom sector, the number of subsea cables connecting the country to high-speed global internet has grown to three – marking a major leap in digital infrastructure. In May 2024, Digicel Guyana launched its Deep Blue One cable, linking the country with French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, ENet completed its multi-billion-dollar submarine cable to Bartica, enabling full fiber and 5G service. A fourth project – the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System – is now underway, with the shore-end landing phase completed as of 2025. Spanning 1,249 kilometers, the system will connect Suriname to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
  
  The country is also now tackling extending coverage to hinterland regions and remote Indigenous communities. “Over the past five years, the local telecom and information and communications technology segment has seen a developmental quantum leap, reflecting leadership commitment towards tech-driven national development,” said Vishok Persaud, CEO of mobile and fiber network provider ENet. “Today, our greatest challenge is covering Guyana’s vast geography – around 50,000 square miles – for a population of under 800,000.”
  
  Efforts to service hinterland areas gained momentum with the launch of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications’ E-Access and ICT Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project in 2019, aimed at delivering high-speed internet to over 100,000 residents in remote areas. Building on that foundation, the government is now advancing its National Broadband Strategy to drive nationwide digital connectivity, which targets universal broadband speeds of at least 100 megabits per second nationwide.
  
  To this end, the government has also opened the market to US-based Starlink services. “For remote hinterland villages, we partnered with Starlink, installing terminals in more than 204 communities and planning for another 18 that lack grid power,” said Phillips. “Those units run on solar and will bring connectivity to schools, health centers and community offices.” In 2025, the government earmarked $125 million for expanding ICT infrastructure, including remote and underserved communities.
  
  In another major milestone for the ICT sector, Prime Minister Mark Phillips inaugurated Guyana’s first Internet Exchange Point in May 2025, located at the University of Guyana, a key milestone aimed at reducing internet latency, lowering costs and reinforcing national digital sovereignty. Previously, local internet traffic had to be routed through international hubs – often via Miami – leading to delays and elevated expenses.

  

  Guyana’s tech-focused tomorrow

  Looking ahead, Guyana’s ICT Masterplan 2030 lays out ambitious goals to transform the nation’s digital landscape. Key targets include boosting broadband penetration to over 75% by 2030, up from 52% in 2024, and fully digitizing government operations. Major initiatives already underway include the rollout of a national electronic identification system and the launch of a Citizen Portal offering direct access to government services with built-in support powered by artificial intelligence. The plan also promotes regional innovation, with over 200 ICT community centers established to date, alongside the creation of a single-window platform for construction permits and public services.
  
  Deonarine Gopaul, CEO of telecommunications provider Digicel Guyana, is positive the government’s targets are well within reach. “I expect near-universal fiber and mobile broadband – with data as the backbone of every service – in the next five years,” he said. “Digicel will be the main driving force behind this transformation through our efforts in expanding fiber, deepening LTE [long-term evolution] and preparing for 5G. We aim to create a fully connected and digitally empowered Guyana.”
  
  Other prominent local frontrunners anticipate healthy future growth, including the CEO of ENet: “As Guyana’s population and economy expand, ENet will be a critical pillar in national development, powering sectors from education and health to oil and agriculture and preparing our youth for new global digital services and AI [artificial intelligence] industries.”

Agrobusiness

Feeding the Region’s Future

As agriculture takes center stage in Guyana’s diversification push, new policies, tax breaks and infrastructure projects are drawing regional partners and investors eager to tap into one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic growth stories.

Agriculture is fast becoming a cornerstone of Guyana’s economic diversification push, with the sector gaining fresh momentum on the back of booming energy revenues. Under the Caribbean Community and Common Market’s (CARICOM’s) flagship 25 by 2025+ agenda that targets a 25% reduction in food imports, the local government has ramped up agricultural spending by more than 430% since 2020 and introduced heavy reforms to position Guyana as a key food supplier to the region. Those investments are already paying off: agriculture, fishing and forestry posted robust 11% year-on-year growth in 2024, underscoring the importance of Guyana’s strong and dynamic non-oil sector.

At the heart of this surge is rice – Guyana’s top agricultural export, accounting for roughly 78% of the sector’s export value. In 2024, the industry hit a record 725,282 tons in output, up 11% year-on-year. Similar growth is expected from Guyana’s other top food exports – fish and sugar – in the coming years. This momentum is attributed to targeted policies that enable farmers to scale production and attract new entrants in the sector, including investment in infrastructure to open new lands for commercial agriculture, modernization of technology, mechanization and support services. “Our vision for the future is clear: we aim to establish Guyana as a regional food hub by producing and exporting high-quality food products for international markets,” said Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.

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  To spur critical private investment, the government has also rolled out a suite of investor-friendly fiscal incentives. These include duty and value-added-tax waivers on agricultural machinery, equipment, cold storage and agrochemicals; tax breaks for agro-processing projects and large-scale livestock ventures; and reinstated land lease and irrigation rates from 2014 – all aimed at lowering barriers for both local and foreign investors. “Guyana offers an open and liberal investment climate with minimal restrictions,” said local food manufacturing leader Ragindra Persaud, managing director of Nand Persaud Group. “Now is the ideal time; competition is low, government spending is rising and sectors from agriculture to services are hungry for capital.”
  
  The banking sector has also responded to the government’s heavy focus on agriculture. Demerara Bank’s Farmer's Credit Line Program now offers collateral-free loans between $4,680 and $7.020 at just 7.5% interest, with waived processing fees – a significant boost for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Republic Bank’s $100 million regional commitment to CARICOM’s agri-sector – announced in 2022 – stands to further accelerate Guyana’s rise as a regional food powerhouse, with a recent loan program for small and medium-sized enterprises launched in Trinidad and Tobago in 2024.
  
  Looking ahead, Guyana’s increased 2025 agriculture budget – totaling $488 million – outlines a wide-ranging development strategy. Key highlights include expanded rice storage at the Number 56 Seed Facility, scaled-up coconut production and new production streams of corn, soya and citrus. On the livestock front, new infrastructure includes a feed pelletizer facility and modular pig and duck processing plants. The plan also calls for 80 new brackish shrimp ponds, over 50 fishing cages and an increased investment in agro-processing to support value-added exports. “Guyana is recognized as the only country in the world that can feed its entire population using its own food,” said Mustapha. “We have a strong track record of developing our agriculture sector and increasing food security, and we will maintain that track record and even exceed it as we move forward into 2030.”

  

  President Irfaan Ali has identified the creation of export promotion zones as a key priority in the government’s 2025 agenda, with plans to establish free trade zones in Lethem, Linden, Regions Two, Six and beyond. Modelled on the Enmore and Wales development zones, these new industrial parks will offer a suite of investor-friendly incentives, including tax exemptions, duty-free concessions on imported machinery and raw materials and simplified customs procedures. According to the president, the initiative aims to triple foreign investment in strategic sectors such as agriculture by delivering one of the Caribbean’s most competitive incentive frameworks.
  
  Guyana is also investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders through strategic partnerships that prioritize education, youth empowerment and skills development. In October 2023, the government teamed up with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to transform the Guyana School of Agriculture into the IICA Guyana Centre of Excellence. This new regional hub focuses on advanced agricultural training, climate resilience and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. The center also houses the operational CARICOM Situation Room, a real-time data analytics platform designed to support evidence-based decisions for farmers and policymakers across the region.
  
  Another key component of the government’s agricultural agenda is the construction of a regional food hub. The project is being developed in partnership with Blumberg Grain, a renowned US-based agriculture company, to market and brand the hub. This facility will be a vital logistics and processing center designed to boost agricultural trade with northern Brazil and the wider Caribbean. Championed by President Irfaan Ali, the terminal is projected to meet up to 10% of the Caribbean’s food demand. The facility is bolstered by infrastructure upgrades such as the $190-million Linden-Lethem Road project and planned airport and port expansions. The development gained further momentum in March 2025 when Guyana joined the Inter-American Development Bank’s South Connection program aimed at building strategic trade corridors across South America.

BPO

Back-Office to Breakout Story

As demands from the region’s business process outsourcing industry grow more complex, the world’s fastest-growing nation continues to raise its game by welcoming firms focused on scale, sustainability and long-term impact.

Guyana’s oil boom is fueling a bold economic pivot, with the government channeling unprecedented revenues into strategic sectors under its One Guyana roadmap. At the forefront is the fast-expanding business process outsourcing (BPO) industry – a sector experiencing surging demand across the region and projected to be worth nearly $973 million in the Caribbean alone in 2025. The South American nation has set its sights on becoming the Caribbean and Latin America’s leading outsourcing hub, propelled by a suite of strategic incentives including generous tax holidays, streamlined investment approvals, capital repatriation assurances, subsidies for workforce training and attractive terms for building and leasing office space.

The government is backing its ambitions with major capital outlays. Between 2002 and 2025, more than $2 billion was invested in developing a local BPO industry in areas such as Region Two, Region Five, Region Six, Tuschen, Enmore and Linden. A standout initiative includes a USD 2.8 million investment to build two large BPO campuses in Region Five, with each campus projected to create up to 15,000 jobs. These bold moves have already drawn major global players such as Qualfon, Midas BPO and Teleperformance, with more expected to follow in 2025.

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  Of the $2 billion allocated for BPO sector growth since 2002, a substantial share has been channeled into workforce training, with the aim to steer Guyana’s English-speaking and highly skilled labor force into the sector. In 2021, the government rolled out national training programs aimed at equipping young graduates with key BPO skills, benefiting more than 1,300 individuals with instruction in word processing, robotics, networking and programming. Building on this, authorities are now expanding education initiatives by introducing coding and ICT training in secondary schools to strengthen the talent pipeline.

  

  Fresh capital, fresh momentum

  Teleperformance was one of the first global BPO giants to establish a strong presence in Guyana, capitalizing on the country’s sweeping ICT reforms in the early 2020s. Operating in roughly 100 countries and serving clients across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, the company announced plans in early 2023 to scale its Guyanese workforce to 5,000 employees. In 2025, Teleperformance consolidated its operations by closing one of its Georgetown offices, with the government affirming that the company remains committed to expanding its footprint in the country.
  
  As the regional BPO market matures, Guyana is pivoting toward more sustainable, high-value segments – particularly health services. US-based Prochant, a medical billing and revenue cycle management specialist with over 25 years of global experience and a workforce exceeding 2,500, has entered the Guyanese market and is actively scaling up. In October 2024, the government partnered with Prochant to host a flagship job fair in Region 10 to showcase opportunities in a region traditionally reliant on mining. Following the event, the company took over Midas BPO’s Linden operations, delivering stable, high-quality employment to the local workforce. Moving forward, Prochant plans to ramp up its investment in Guyana from its initial $1 million to $4 million by 2026.
  
  India’s VChart Services is also among the new wave of BPO entrants expanding aggressively in Guyana. After launching operations in Georgetown in 2023 and Tuschen in 2024, the medical billing and revenue management firm opened a new center in Enmore in April 2025, unlocking 250 jobs. The company’s success has sparked interest from other Indian players, including emerging BPO startup Decipher Health Records. Headquartered in Bangalore and employing 700 staff, Decipher provides medical transcription and revenue cycle services to US hospitals and plans to grow a 300-strong workforce in Guyana over the coming years.

Adventure Meets Conservation

Eco-tourism is rapidly emerging as a major economic driver for Guyana. New infrastructure, rising visitor numbers and indigenous-led development models are drawing global attention and reshaping the sector's future.

Guyana’s push to elevate tourism as a core pillar of its One Guyana development strategy is delivering strong results. In 2024, the country welcomed 371,272 visitors, a 16.3% increase over the previous year and a new national record. This upswing underscores Guyana’s growing appeal as a premier eco and adventure tourism destination, supported by community-driven development and strategic capacity building. Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious goal: welcoming 3 million visitors annually by 2030, anchored in a sustainability-focused vision for inclusive and resilient sector growth.

Central to the government’s rapid development of its recreation and hospitality offerings is a hard focus on participation of its indigenous communities, spearheaded by the Community Led and Owned Tourism initiative by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). “This initiative is unique; we are the only country in the world where this type of model is our primary tourism offering,” said Oneidge Walrond, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. “Under its framework, indigenous leaders are included in national tourism planning to ensure inclusive, respectful growth that preserves their environment and culture. Key initiatives include community-led eco-lodges, guided tours, cultural experiences and conservation projects funded through carbon credit revenues.”

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  A key lynchpin in the program is the rehabilitation and expansion of eco-lodges across Guyana. The Surama eco-lodge, the oldest and most established in the hinterland, continues to serve as a flagship project. In contrast, the newly launched Great Diamond eco-lodge – Guyana’s largest by unit count – introduces an urban blueprint for eco-tourism. Other standout developments, including the Rewa, Santa Mission, Yupukari, Moraikobai, and Warapoka developments, have been instrumental in scaling the Community Led and Owned Tourism model nationwide. In May 2025, the government launched the Guyana Ecolodge Guidelines Manual, a comprehensive guide outlining best practices for planning, designing and constructing authentic eco-lodges in line with the country’s unique environmental landscape and long-term tourism objectives.
  
  Looking outward, the government is actively targeting key international markets – particularly North America and Europe – through a suite of high-impact marketing initiatives. Central to this effort is the Discover Guyana campaign, which aims to position Guyana as the world’s leading destination for trekking, boating, sport fishing, birdwatching, and jungle survival training through a multifaceted campaign, including the appointment of lead cricket player Gudakesh Motie as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador.
  
  In January 2024, the Guyana Tourism Authority appointed Emerging Destinations and CornerSun Destination Marketing to spearhead promotional efforts in the North American market. This partnership leverages the country’s appeal as an experiential tourism hotspot, its geographic proximity and its advantage as the only English-speaking destination in South America. The partnership supported Guyana’s presence at major North American travel trade shows and consumer events in 2024 and 2025, further raising the country’s profile among travel professionals and potential visitors.

  

  Guyana is also leading the charge on a unique multi-destination tourism platform designed to attract global travelers by combining the distinct strengths of neighboring countries. In early 2025, Guyana and the Dominican Republic formalized an agreement to jointly market themselves as a single destination, blending the Dominican Republic’s world-class beaches and resorts with Guyana’s rising eco and adventure tourism appeal. “These initiatives work well for all countries, as Guyana's tourism offerings are distinctly different from those provided in the Caribbean. Together, we create an appealing value proposition for prospective travelers,” said Walrond. The Guyana Tourism Authority is also collaborating with top Caribbean destinations, including Saint Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Antigua and Barbuda, to promote the region to North American and European travellers.
  
  Another top priority for the government is talent development to support the growing demands of a modernized, high-performing tourism sector. While the Guyana Tourism Authority trained over 2,000 individuals in 2024 alone, current capacity-building efforts still fall short of projected needs. To bridge this gap, the government is constructing the flagship $7.2-million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute in Port Mourant, Berbice.
  
  Backed by financing from the Caribbean Development Bank, construction began in February 2024, with large-scale training programmes set to launch by January 2026. The institute is designed to address the growing demand for skilled workers in Guyana’s expanding hospitality and tourism sector and support the government’s goal to create 50,000 tourism jobs by 2030, with a strong emphasis on accessibility for youth, women and rural and Indigenous communities to ensure inclusive sector growth.

Investment Opportunities

Betting on Green: Tourism’s Next Big Sector

Guyana’s aggressive incentive regime, paired with transport upgrades and major hotel projects, is drawing global investment into a tourism sector primed for sustainable expansion.

At the heart of Guyana’s bold tourism strategy – aimed at positioning the country as the region’s premier destination by 2030 – is a strong focus on international collaboration. To support this vision, the government is rolling out investor-friendly tax frameworks and enabling legislation designed to attract and facilitate long-term foreign partnerships in the sector. Ongoing efforts to streamline the business climate have triggered a surge in infrastructure development, positioning Guyana’s tourism sector for a new era of regional leadership and heightened investor interest, particularly from the USA, whose travellers now account for nearly half of all international arrivals.

President Irfaan Ali underscores the wealth of opportunities available to global investors within Guyana’s rapidly expanding tourism sector: “We are positioning Guyana as a premier destination for adventure tourism, including jungle hikes and river expeditions; sport tourism, with major regional and international sporting events; heritage tourism that showcases our diverse cultural legacy; family-based tourism; festival tourism; and the future home of conference tourism, with related world-class facilities on the horizon.”

Guyana’s latest tax incentive package includes tax holidays for eligible projects, duty-free concessions on imported capital goods and equipment and corporate tax exemptions or reductions for qualifying tourism ventures. In addition, special investment regimes are being introduced in designated industrial and tourism zones, offering enhanced, tax-free benefits to further attract high-impact capital. “We have developed one of the region’s most attractive incentive regimes for tourism investors. These include duty-free concessions, generous tax holidays and support for infrastructure development in key tourism zones,” said Ali. “We believe that when you invest in Guyana’s tourism, you are investing in the future of sustainable travel.”

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  To attract greater international involvement, Guyana is ramping up domestic investments to catalyse a new wave of global interest and engagement. This includes refocusing the traditional Small Business Grant – facilitated by Guyana’s Small Business Bureau – toward community-led initiatives in tourism and hospitality. The bureau operates a credit guarantee program in partnership with Republic Bank and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, offering loans of up to $140,000 to support any small business, including those in the tourism. In April, the Small Business Bureau launched the 2025 edition of its Green Tech Fund, which provides entrepreneurs with grants of up to $5,610 to support the use of technology to protect or promote the environment.
  
  Guyana’s clear and focused agenda has drawn the attention of prominent investors eager to tap into what is shaping up to be the region’s fastest-growing tourism industry. In December 2024, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Oneidge Walrond announced that Guyana is set to add 1,000 new hotel rooms in 2025, with another 800 expected by 2026, supported by the development of seven international hotel projects. These ventures are being spearheaded by global players such as Royal International Hotels and Aiden Hotel by Best Western, the latter having launched a high-profile, nine-story property in Georgetown in October 2024.

  

  Investment in hinterland road infrastructure is a cornerstone of Guyana’s tourism agenda, aimed at seamlessly linking visitors to the country’s expanding eco-tourism circuit. The budget for hinterland roads surged from $7.01 million in 2020 to $42.1 million in 2025 – a sixfold increase – underscoring the government’s commitment to improving access and connectivity. These upgrades are complemented by the new $156-million Integrated Transport Corridors Project, approved by the World Bank in early 2025. The funding is intended to enhance Guyana’s transport network in selected regions, ensure it is better equipped to withstand natural hazards and provide safer, more reliable mobility for citizens and visitors. A key component of these efforts is the construction of 32 strategic bridges along the Kurupukari–Lethem corridor with a total investment of $19.2 million to accelerate travel and improve access to remote tourism hubs.
  
  The country is also advancing its aviation infrastructure, with a major expansion underway at Cheddi Jagan International Airport located near the capital. Central to the upgrade is the construction of a new, world-class second terminal spanning 150,000 square feet. The new $32.7-million terminal will feature modern amenities such as additional duty-free zones, retail outlets, rental offices, lounges and dedicated buildings for arrivals and departures. As of March 2025, the project had entered its final stage of contract negotiations, with major parts of the project nearing completion.
  
  Guyana is also capitalising on its robust Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 to position itself as a top-tier destination for environmentally conscious investors. In 2025, the country received the PATWA International Award for Destination of the Year – Natural Attractions, a testament to its growing reputation for eco- and sustainability-focused tourism. This recognition highlights Guyana’s commitment to global conservation, exemplified by partnerships with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, as well as its growing status in 2025 as a premier international destination for green investment.

Places to Visit

Wild Wonders: Where Rainforest Meets River

With rainforest treks, majestic waterfalls and visa-free access from the USA, Guyana is now more than South America’s best-kept travel secret – untamed, authentic and closer than you think.

Guyana is rapidly positioning itself as a premier destination for US travellers, blending seamless access – visa-free entry and expanded flight routes – with unmatched eco-adventure experiences. Nearly half of all international visitors hail from the USA, drawn by Guyana’s authenticity, biodiversity and strong diaspora ties. Guyana is the only country in South America whose official language is English, offering a uniquely frictionless gateway to the continent. With tourism earmarked as a key sustainable alternative to oil and mining, the country is capturing global attention as a model for green, community-driven development.

Georgetown, the nation’s lively capital, is a city of vibrant contrasts, where Victorian and Dutch colonial architecture co-exist with bustling Caribbean markets. Guarded by a historic seawall and crisscrossed by canals, its landmarks – from Stabroek Market to St. George’s Cathedral and the iconic lighthouse – offer rich historical context. Georgetown boasts over 2,000 hotel rooms, with major expansions underway, including the 172-room Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, set to open in August 2025. The city’s cosmopolitan vibe and dynamic culinary scene make it the perfect launchpad for discovering Guyana’s untouched rainforests, winding rivers and immersive eco-tourism adventures.

Topping Guyana’s list of natural marvels is Kaieteur Falls, nestled in the heart of Kaieteur National Park on the Potaro River. As the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by volume – plunging an awe-inspiring 741 feet – it rises majestically above the surrounding pristine rainforest. The site plays a key role in the government’s Community-Led and Owned Tourism programme, empowering local Indigenous groups to manage tours and benefit directly from tourism revenue. Infrastructure at the site is currently being upgraded, with enhancements to airstrips for chartered flights and improvements to visitor facilities underway.

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  Another standout experience is Pandama Retreat, an eco-lodge and artisanal winery nestled in the savannahs just outside Georgetown. With rustic cabins, glamping tents, forest trails and a tasting room featuring fruit wines made from jamun, sorrel and pineapple, Pandama is a flagship of Guyana’s Freshness is Domestic agriculture campaign. Fully solar-powered, it has recently expanded to host corporate retreats and community gatherings, solidifying its status as a premier destination for both leisure and business travellers.
  
  The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers yet another breathtaking experience. This 505-foot suspension bridge soars 98 feet above the forest floor, providing panoramic views of the Iwokrama Rainforest, one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Community-led tours immerse travellers in Guyana’s unique wildlife, offering chances to track the vibrant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock bird and even catch glimpses of elusive jaguars. Visitors are encouraged to stay at the nearby Atta Rainforest Lodge, launched in 2023 and operated in partnership with Indigenous communities.
  
  Tucked in the Wisroc area of Linden, the Blue Lakes are Guyana’s only naturally blue water bodies, formed nearly a century ago through bauxite mining. Their brilliant hue – created by marl and kaolinite soils – paired with white sandy bottoms and serene surroundings, has made them a favourite for swimming, hiking and events such as intimate weddings and gatherings. Plans are underway to introduce eco-lodges to the area, ensuring that future development remains community-driven and environmentally sustainable.

  

  The Essequibo River – Guyana’s largest and most historic waterway – stretches over 1,000 kilometres from the Acarai Mountains to the Atlantic. It carves through diverse ecosystems, supporting wildlife and riverine communities. Speedboat tours take travellers to Dutch forts, waterfalls and indigenous villages, with eco-lodges like Sloth Island offering immersive nature experiences. The river is renowned for birdwatching, fishing and cultural encounters.
  
  In response to growing demand, Guyana is boosting air connectivity. By 2025, JetBlue had doubled its daily service from New York to Georgetown, while Air Transat expanded direct flights from Toronto. Arrivals land at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri or Eugene F. Correia International Airport, 41 and 11 kilometres from the capital, respectively. Entry requirements have also been simplified: travellers from 125 countries – including the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and EU nations – can now enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Peak travel seasons align with the dry months, from February to April and September to November.
  
  “Guyana’s tourism potential is not just world-class, it is a world-beater,” said Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. “Our country is blessed with some of the most breathtaking natural wonders on the planet, from the mighty Kaieteur Falls – more than four times taller than Niagara Falls – to vast, untouched rainforests, winding rivers and sprawling savannahs. Our ecosystem is so rich and varied that it rivals the best in the world. Our biodiversity is not only unique but unmatched.”