Faster timelines for local content certification take effect from January 2026

The Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Local Content Secretariat (LCS), on Tuesday announced new structured timelines for the reviewing and approving of applications for Local Content Certificates. The new timelines, aimed at modernising and streamlining the process, will take effect from January 2026.
Under the new structure, sole proprietorships and landlords will see new applications being processed within five working days, while renewals will be processed within three working days. For 100 per cent Guyanese-owned companies and business partnerships, the new applications will be processed within 15 working days, while renewals will be processed within 10 working days.
For all other companies the new applications will be processed within 21 working days and renewals within 15 working days. The Ministry stressed that the new timelines will only begin after all required documents have been received.
The updated framework is part of the Government’s wider mandate under President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to expand and improve public services. “The move is intended to bring greater clarity, predictability and efficiency to the process, ensuring that businesses and companies understand exactly how long approvals will take once all the required documents have been submitted,” the Ministry said in a statement.
An updated list of the documents required under this strengthened framework will be published on the petroleum.gov.gy website. “These timelines… [ensure] that processing periods are consistent, transparent and aligned with the Government’s commitment to a more responsive public service,” the statement said.

Local Content
The move is aimed at modernising and streamlining a system that many Guyanese businesses rely on in order to participate in Guyana’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector.
It was in 2021, with the passage of the Local Content Act, that the Government established 40 service areas in the oil and gas sector reserved for Guyanese business participation. Under this legislation oil companies must procure services from local providers to varying degrees.
However, to benefit from these opportunities, businesses must first obtain a Local Content Certificate from the Secretariat. Without this certification, Guyanese-owned companies are not eligible to access contracts in these protected service areas.
Established in 2022, the Secretariat was put in place to manage the Local Content Register for businesses and professionals to advertise their services. As of November 2024, 1,032 companies had been certified and were listed on the Local Content Register, confirming their eligibility to supply goods and services to the sector.

Digitisation efforts
However, the Secretariat has acknowledged that some businesses have faced challenges in getting their local content certificates. Head of the Secretariat, Michael Munroe, recently noted that the agency is advancing its efforts to digitise services to address delays and improve efficiency. Earlier this month, Munroe confirmed that the Secretariat is expanding its digitisation push, including the development of an online application portal expected to launch in January 2026, coinciding with the new processing timeline. The portal will allow applicants to submit documents online, reducing bottlenecks and manual processing times. Digitisation efforts follow previous initiatives to improve access to opportunities in the oil and gas industry. In February, the Secretariat launched the Local Content App at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (GECSCE). The App is meant to enable Guyanese to be better connected to available opportunities in the oil and gas sector. A Local Content Certificate is not required to browse the app’s listings.
“Stakeholders across Guyana’s petroleum industry and its wider supply chain are encouraged to download and utilise the Local Content App, launched in February of this year. This platform brings suppliers closer to contractors and subcontractors by streamlining access to procurement needs and strengthening local participation in the sector,” the statement said.

GCCI welcomes announcement
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has since issued a statement welcoming the announcement as a positive step for local businesses.
“The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry commends the Local Content Secretariat on the move to improve its processing time for local content certificates,” the Chamber said in its statement.
“This initiative, which focuses on efficiency, provides guided timelines and allows businesses to access this crucial document in a timely manner.”
“The GCCI has been in continuous discussions with the secretariat on matters affecting local businesses, including its transaction processing time and the updating of the Local Content Act Schedule of Services. The GCCI looks forward to continued dialogue with the LCS, and the effective implementation of this decision which is anticipated to improve the ease of doing business in Guyana.”