The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Monday, presented Budget 2026, a $1.558 trillion spending plan that is 12.7% larger than Budget 2025, as the government accelerates a wide-ranging programme of infrastructure buildout, human capital investment, and targeted household support.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who presented this year’s fiscal plan for more than five hours, said the budget was crafted without introducing new taxes and is anchored in the administration’s development agenda.
“Budget 2026 was crafted to give effect to His Excellency’s vision for a modern, prosperous Guyana, that provides opportunities for every single Guyanese person,” Singh told the National Assembly.
He said the package is presented under the theme “Putting People First.” Singh said the budget comes on the back of continued economic expansion, reporting that the economy is estimated to have grown by 19.3% overall in 2025, with non-oil real GDP expanding by 14.3%.
A major pillar of Budget 2026 is the government’s energy push, with $119.4 billion allocated for the continued implementation of its energy strategy.
A whopping $6 billion was set aside for renewable energy interventions, including the completion of 10 new solar mini-grids expected to benefit over 6,200 households in hinterland and riverain communities, along with continued upgrades in Mabaruma, Matthew’s Ridge, and Port Kaituma, and ongoing work on a 15 MW solar farm in Linden.
On transport, Dr. Singh said the government has allocated $196.1 billion for the development of the country’s road and bridge network in 2026.
The aviation programme includes $3.2 billion in 2026 to advance works on a new 150,000-square-foot arrivals terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with the project slated for completion by the first quarter of 2028.
The government also plans to embark on two new municipal airports at Rose Hall/Canje and Lethem, while $4 billion is budgeted for hinterland airstrips.
For river transport, Dr. Singh reported $11.2 billion is budgeted in 2026, alongside $11.3 billion for sea defence works, including new works commencing in areas such as Belladrum, Cane Garden, Cullen and La Jalousie.
In education, Dr. Singh said $24.3 billion is earmarked in 2026 for the completion of more than 40 schools and continued rehabilitation and maintenance of existing schools, with works also advancing on student dormitories in hinterland communities, including Jawalla, North West, Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa and Waramadong.
For tourism development, $2.2 billion was allocated to complete construction of the facility, which is slated to open this year and train over 700 individuals.
On culture and the creative industries, the government will advance works on the state-of-the-art museum and art gallery and the Palmyra Cultural Market, with a $1.3 billion budget for these initiatives.
Singh said the government remains focused on restoring GuySuCo to financial viability and transforming it into an agro-industrial hub for rural development. The speech outlines that $13.4 billion is budgeted for the sector in 2026, following $13.3 billion spent in 2025.
As part of the “Digital Guyana” push, the government will advance the GovConnect app (appointments and queue management), the Citizen Connect complaints platform and AskGov, a 24/7 AI assistant to guide users through transactions.
The government also plans a MyGuyana Citizen Portal as a single gateway for public services, while Integrated Service Centres have begun rolling out with the first location in Leonora.
