HGP Nightly News – President Dr. Irfaan Ali is selling a vision of Guyana that goes beyond oil, roads and buildings, arguing that the country must become a “smart country” built around technology, better service, safety, tourism, culture and improved quality of life.
But while the President’s message in Houston, Texas, focused heavily on people, service and national experience, the 2026 Budget shows that the government’s development push remains strongly anchored in physical infrastructure, with some of the largest allocations going toward roads, bridges, energy and other major capital works.
Speaking at the US-Guyana Business Exchange Reception, President Ali said phrases such as smart country, safe country and quality of life are no longer just policy language. He said they are now central to how modern economies compete, especially countries like Guyana with a small population and skills gaps.
“These are not buzzwords. These are becoming strong policy and economic terms that are critical for the success of any economy,” the President said.
Ali pointed to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as an example of the kind of transformation he wants visitors and citizens to experience. He said Guyana has already outgrown the rehabilitated airport and has signed a contract for a second terminal, which is expected to increase processing capacity from 800 passengers per hour to 3,200 passengers per hour.
He said the airport experience should reflect Guyana’s identity from the moment a person arrives, including its rainforest, tourism, agriculture, hospitality, food, service and culture.
“You must feel the pulse of a rainforest,” he said.
The President also spoke about investments in artificial intelligence, customs modernisation, safer communities, fintech, healthcare, education, entertainment, border security, urban beautification and the orange economy. He said Guyana wants to become a destination for movies, Netflix productions and cultural industries.
He argued that the country must not only build physical things, but also “quality citizens” and “quality human beings” through stronger families, better service, improved behaviour and investment in human capital.
However, the 2026 Budget suggests that the government’s practical spending priority remains infrastructure-led transformation. According to the Budget Speech, Government’s Public Sector Investment Programme expenditure grew to $684.9 billion in 2025, with major projects across transport infrastructure, energy, housing, education, health and agriculture.
For 2026, $196.1 billion has been allocated for roads and bridges alone, including major highway projects such as the Heroes Highway, Ogle to Eccles extension, Soesdyke to Linden Highway, Linden to Mabura Hill Road, Palmyra to Moleson Creek highway and community and hinterland roads.
The energy sector is also receiving major attention, with $119.4 billion allocated for the continued implementation of the government’s energy strategy.
By comparison, the education sector has been allocated $183.6 billion in 2026, while $2.5 billion is set aside specifically for TVET expansion. Health has been allocated $161.1 billion, with the government describing the aim as building a modern, science-driven and patient-centred healthcare system.
The balance, therefore, is clear. Ali’s public message is increasingly about people, service, culture and quality of life, but the budget continues to place heavy financial weight on the physical foundations needed to support that vision.
The central question is whether the investment in roads, bridges, airports and energy will be matched by equal progress in skills, service culture, education, healthcare and human development.
For Guyana to become the smart country the President described, the concrete and technology will have to be matched by people who are trained, supported and ready to deliver the national experience he is promising.
