15 new ICT hubs to be built in 2026 – Prime Minister

The Guyana Government will continue to invest in expanding access to information and communication technology (ICT) in rural and hinterland communities across the country.
Under the ICT Access and e-Services for Hinterland Poor and Remote Communities Project, approximately 170 ICT hubs have been set up to date in these communities to support education, telemedicine and Government services.
And according to Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, more of these facilities will be built this year. “Looking ahead, 15 new ICT hubs will be built in 2026,” the Prime Minister (PM) revealed.
PM Phillips made this announcement via a video statement posted on Saturday, in which he highlighted the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s progress and continued development plans across the energy, telecommunications and ICT, digital transformation, and disaster preparedness sectors – all of which fall under his office.
Over the last three years, the Government has invested more than $1 billion to bridge the digital divide, giving residents in remote hinterland communities not only access to digital services but also training in the ICT sector.
PM Phillips stated that these training initiatives will continue as a priority, with both capacity development for ICT managers and community-based training significantly scaled up this year, targeting some 2000 additional community members to ensure digital literacy becomes widespread.
“In 2025, we trained 33 new hub managers, bringing our total since 2022 to 192 trained managers nationwide. Across 44 communities, we trained and certified 130 community development officers and nearly 2500 community members in ICT basics.”

“We also strengthened institutional capacity by training 20 Community Development Officers from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in digital communication, productivity tools, cybersecurity awareness, and Ministry platforms. Regional public servants benefited significantly as well [with] 189 public servants within Regional Democratic Councils trained to better leverage digital tools for community outreach,” the Prime Minister noted.

National Digital Transformation Plan
Back in September 2025, President Dr Irfaan Ali, after his re-election into office, issued an executive order outlining his administration’s digital transformation plan to fully digitalise all Government services. This national initiative, according to PM Phillips, is driven by a strategic focus on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), cross-agency collaboration, and the integration of ICT systems.
The National Digital Transformation Plan, along with platforms such as oversight.gov.gy, is strengthening transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across Government. As such, Prime Minister Phillips said much emphasis was placed last year on strengthening Guyana’s human capital to support a digitally enabled future, reinforcing our commitment to education, skills development, and technological transformation.
This has resulted in more than 1200 persons across multiple regions receiving ICT and innovation training, he added.
“Through our Train the Trainers initiative, over 100 individuals in Regions One and Nine were equipped to deliver ICT training within their own communities. Approximately 875 persons across Regions Two, Four, Five, Six, and 10 received foundational ICT training. Disability-focused ICT programmes empowered 24 persons in Region Four, and innovation camps exposed a further 169 participants to creative problem-solving and collaborative innovation,” he highlighted.
Moreover, the Prime Minister added that the Government also strengthened the link between ICT capacity-building and economic participation through structured mentorship and internship pathways.
Building on five years of foundational work, he noted that the Industry and Innovation Unit, under his office, will significantly expand its programming between 2026 and 2031. These planned initiatives include artificial intelligence, animation, web design and development training, and specialised coding camps for girls.
Additionally, PM Phillips said there are plans to also launch research and development schemes, a developers’ conference, Guyana’s Forced Innovation and Technology Week, and an innovation lab to provide physical infrastructure for collaborative development and prototyping.
“Through these expanded initiatives, the PPP/C Government’s vision of inclusive, innovation-driven development will move closer to realisation while positioning Guyana as a regional leader in digital transformation,” PM Phillips declared.

Nationwide access to internet, digital skills training
The Prime Minister spoke about the Government’s efforts to provide nationwide access to reliable, high-speed internet to citizens. He said the expansion of the Wi-Fi GY programme and the fibre-optic network has significantly improved connectivity across all regions, enabling access to online education, telemedicine, Government services, and economic opportunities.
According to the PM, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) has expanded internet connectivity to all 253 hinterland, riverine, and remote communities, benefiting over 135,000 residents.
“This high-speed internet allows residents to have better access to online teaching, the GOAL scholarship programme, telemedicine services, remote work opportunities, and new markets for their products and services,” he added.
Alongside infrastructure expansion, the Government has prioritised digital skills training to ensure that citizens and public servants can confidently and safely navigate digital platforms and access e-services.
PM Phillips noted that since 2021, over 8000 public servants have received specialised training in critical information infrastructure protection, focusing on essential cybersecurity practices. In 2025, the NDMA expanded its reach by conducting e-services and cybersecurity awareness training sessions in 120 Amerindian villages, impacting over 2800 residents.
“These initiatives ensure that all citizens, regardless of where they live, can safely and effectively access digital tools and online Government services. This training effort supports the broader expansion of our nation’s digital public infrastructure, with 67 e-governance platforms now available online,’ he noted.