Empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities

The disbursement of loans to six entrepreneurs living with disabilities marks an important milestone in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to advance inclusivity within the economic landscape. Administered through the Small Business Bureau, with oversight from the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry and supported by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, this revolving fund exemplifies the principle of equal opportunity embedded in the national development agenda.
At its foundation, this initiative recognises that meaningful growth cannot occur if segments of the population are left behind. By designing a scheme that offers financing with zero collateral, zero interest, and flexible repayment over four years, the programme dismantles many of the traditional barriers that entrepreneurs with disabilities face when seeking capital. Financial institutions, by their very nature, often operate on strict requirements of collateral and credit history, criteria that disproportionately disadvantage vulnerable groups. This revolving fund is, therefore, a structural correction that levels the playing field.
Since its establishment in 2023, the fund has distributed over $20 million through 41 loans. The pace of disbursement in 2025 alone, 14 loans valued at $7 million, signals confidence among persons with disabilities that their ideas and enterprises are being valued within the broader economy. That confidence is critical. Access to capital represents the first hurdle, but belief in one’s ability to succeed within an enabling environment is what sustains entrepreneurial ventures in the long term.
The diversity of businesses supported, spanning technology, landscaping, catering, and retail, reveals that innovation and resilience thrive across communities, regardless of physical ability. Too often, persons with disabilities are stereotyped as dependent rather than independent contributors to national progress. The experiences of these new loan recipients and others before them dismantle that misconception, proving that when barriers are removed and resources are accessible, potential is unlocked.
This revolving fund is, by design, a cycle of empowerment. As beneficiaries succeed and repay their loans, they replenish the pool, allowing others to access the same opportunities. Unlike grants, which are finite, a revolving mechanism generates continuity and sustainability. This is why accountability and prudent use of funds remain paramount. Each entrepreneur’s success strengthens the system for future applicants, creating a multiplier effect that extends well beyond individual businesses.
The Government’s commitment to monitoring and evaluation is equally significant. Too often, development schemes falter because disbursement is seen as the endpoint. In reality, lending is only the beginning. Tracking progress, offering mentorship, and ensuring that businesses are positioned for growth are essential to maximising the impact of such programmes. The minister’s assurance that a dedicated team will follow up with recipients signals recognition that empowerment is an ongoing process, not a one-off event.
Moreover, this initiative embodies the spirit of the “One Guyana” philosophy. True inclusivity is not about token gestures; it is about creating systems where participation is equitable and where physical ability does not determine access to opportunity. The revolving fund demonstrates how policy can be tailored to address specific vulnerabilities without segregating or isolating those who benefit. Instead, it integrates entrepreneurs with disabilities into the mainstream of economic activity, reinforcing the notion that national development is a collective endeavour.
The symbolic impact of this programme is equally important. These are not acts of charity but investments in the capacity of citizens who, when given the tools, will build livelihoods for themselves and contribute to their communities. That shift, from viewing persons with disabilities as recipients of aid to viewing them as creators of value, represents genuine social progress.
The disbursement on Wednesday is, therefore, a reaffirmation of the principle that no one should be excluded from the opportunity to thrive. The entrepreneurs who received these loans will now carry the responsibility of proving the model’s worth through their discipline, creativity, and commitment. Their successes will validate the programme as well as serve as beacons for others who aspire to pursue entrepreneurship despite challenges.