More than 3,800 public locations across Guyana now have access to high-speed internet, with connectivity also reaching all 253 hinterland, remote and rural communities, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has disclosed.
Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, said 97 per cent of schools, 92 per cent of health facilities and all fire stations are also connected to high-speed internet.
He provided the update while addressing the closing ceremony of the sixth Innovation Challenge at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The competition is organised by the Office of the Prime Minister through its Industry and Innovation Unit.
According to Phillips, the expansion forms part of government’s wider digital transformation agenda, which is aimed at increasing the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) across education, healthcare, agriculture, public safety, energy, commerce and public administration.
Significant investments have also been made to improve digital access in hinterland communities.
Between 2021 and 2026, close to $1.8 billion was invested in ICT hubs in those communities. More than 3,000 persons from 200 communities also received training, approximately 75 per cent of whom were women.
Government is simultaneously moving ahead with efforts to place more public services online. Phillips pointed to the national electronic identification system, the My Guyana Citizen Portal, Citizen Connect and the AI-supported AskGov platform, along with digital skills training under the One Guyana Digital Initiative.
However, the Prime Minister said increased connectivity must be accompanied by greater attention to cybersecurity, data protection and the skills needed for Guyanese to participate in a growing digital economy.
“A digital economy can only be strong if its people have the skills to participate and if its systems have the security to earn their trust,” Phillips said.
Meanwhile, this year’s Innovation Challenge placed greater emphasis on research, problem-solving, design thinking, prototyping, user testing and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
A Junior Category was also introduced for the first time as part of efforts to involve younger Guyanese in innovation and problem-solving.
Phillips encouraged participants to continue developing their ideas beyond the competition, noting that prototypes could eventually be transformed into businesses, public-interest solutions or services for local and overseas markets.
“Think beyond this year’s competition. Your prototype may become a pilot, a start-up, a public-interest solution or a service capable of reaching regional and international markets,” he said.
The Prime Minister said government intends to continue investing in connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, innovation and cybersecurity as Guyana’s digital transformation advances.
