Digital snapshot – key policies and laws
Guyana’s reform agenda is ambitious: President Irfaan Ali has said most government services should be digitised by the end of Q2 2026, with the programme built around digital infrastructure, AI, cross-agency collaboration, and integrated ICT systems. Guyana’s legal framework has also expanded quickly, with the Data Protection Act 2023, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2023, and the Open Data Act 2024 establishing the basic rules for privacy, digital transactions, electronic records, and public-sector data reuse.
Connectivity is improving, with an estimated 81.7% internet penetration in Guyana at the start of 2025, and mobile and social media use are also widespread. The country’s infrastructure base has strengthened through subsea capacity, such as Deep Blue One, activated in 2024 for Guyana and neighbouring markets, and satellite access with Starlink becoming operational in April 2025, especially relevant for remote communities.
Relating to cybersecurity and digital rights, in April 2024, the National Data Management Authority launched 43 cybersecurity policies under the government’s National Cybersecurity Policy Framework, signalling an attempt to secure public-sector digitisation before e-ID, health records, portals, and payments become mission-critical. At the same time, Guyana’s Cybercrime Act 2018 remains politically sensitive, with debates around online harms and social media abuse.
Regarding Guyana’s digital economy, FAST PAY, a real-time payments system scheduled to go live on 2 June 2026, is expected to support instant interbank transfers, mobile and internet banking, e-commerce, lower cash dependence, and faster public/private transactions. Together with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, they provide Guyana a stronger foundation for online commerce, digital wallets, SME digitisation, and financial inclusion.
Guyana has no clearly published, standalone national AI strategy, yet AI is already embedded in public service plans, healthcare modernisation, and the proposed sovereign AI cloud agenda. The most striking development is the government’s 2025 MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Cerebras for an AI data centre of up to 100MW in Wales, Guyana.
Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva:
Guyana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva represents the country before the UN Office at Geneva and other Geneva-based international organisations. It is also accredited to organisations including UNCTAD, WHO, ILO, WIPO, IOM, UNHCR, ITU and the WTO, and covers several other international bodies and treaty processes. The Mission was established on 1 October 2016 to advance Guyana’s bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Official UNOG website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/guyana
EMBASSY AND PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UN – GENEVA
Consult Guyana’s digital strategies and regulations
Here you can explore the country’s main digital strategies, laws, and regulations by simply asking the chatbot, which is designed to help you quickly find relevant documents and understand the country’s digital policy landscape.
Main digital policies and regulations in the country:
- National Payments System Development Plan
- GYEITI Open Data Policy
- MOE ICT in Education Policy and Master Plan
- Risk Assessment Policy
- Information Security Risk Management Standard
- Cyber Incident Response Standard
- Information Security Policy
