Perched on the northeastern shoulder of South America, Guyana has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing economy. In just a decade, this once predominantly agricultural nation has found itself under the global spotlight, driven by the explosive growth of its energy and construction sectors. Yet to realize its extraordinary potential, Guyana must confront the challenge of building resilient infrastructure, establishing standardized and transparent financial systems, and growing a highly skilled workforce. The choices made now will determine whether this emerging powerhouse secures lasting prosperity — or falls short of its promise.

The Petroleum Catalyst

Guyana’s meteoric rise began when ExxonMobil discovered significant offshore oil reserves in 2015. Additional discoveries have since positioned Guyana as one of the world’s largest per-capita oil producers, first reaching 645,000 barrels per day in 2024 and projecting production of 1 million barrels per day by 2027.

Part of its success is driven by Guyana’s geographical position. As an English-speaking country, Guyana bridges South American markets with North America and the Caribbean. Its location provides efficient access to Atlantic shipping routes and South American land routes, helping reduce transit times and costs compared to surrounding countries. 

Guyana’s oil production, combined with its geographical advantages, has led to double-digit GDP expansion for several years in a row — from 62% growth in 2022 alone to 44% growth in 2024. The influx of capital is now cascading through nearly every sector of the country’s economy. 

Cross-Sector Ripple Effects

The most visible manifestation of Guyana’s transformation is the construction boom in Georgetown, its capital. New roads, bridges, hotels, office buildings, and housing developments have created unprecedented demand for aggregate materials, such as crushed stone, gravel, and sand. Since 2020, production of these materials has increased by over 200% to fuel new construction.

The government has prioritized port expansions and logistics infrastructure improvements to handle increased cargo volumes and the transportation needs of international trade. Major transportation projects, like the Linden Highway between Guyana and Brazil, are getting renewed attention. If these projects can be completed efficiently, it could transform regional trade patterns and further enhance Guyana’s position.

Industries that support business travel have also surged. International hotel chains like Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton are investing in Georgetown and coastal areas to meet growing tourism, and digital infrastructure investments have expanded broadband access to previously underserved areas.
As its industries evolve, Guyana’s financial and labor systems must keep pace. The relative absence of capital markets and modern financial infrastructure creates friction for businesses seeking to expand and for investors looking to deploy capital efficiently. Labor is the other big constraint. With just over 825,000 citizens, Guyana needs to nearly double its available labor force to meet demands. Though migration rates have increased in the region, providing the level of training, housing, and social support needed to sustain this influx will be critical for Guyana’s long-term success.

Guyana’s growth has created a unique investment landscape with significant opportunities for those with the expertise to navigate its complexities. The government has begun issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) for major infrastructure projects funded by oil revenues, yet many global investment giants remain hesitant to engage directly with this emerging market.

Bridging the Investment Gap

This hesitation has created a gap in the market: while there’s substantial interest from large capital providers in Guyana’s infrastructure development and mining potential, there’s a critical shortage of middle-market firms capable of packaging opportunities to meet international due diligence standards.

This creates an opportunity for smaller firms to serve as liaisons between Guyana’s emerging market and global capital. By developing projects from inception to a scale attractive to larger investors, these intermediaries can facilitate the flow of capital and unlock significant value.  

To be successful in Guyana’s evolving landscape, global trade partners and investors must understand both the immediate growth drivers and the gaps that must be addressed to build a long-term, sustainable economy. Capital invested thoughtfully to support infrastructure, labor, and finance demands will help Guyana become the growth story heard around the world.