French investors invited to tap Guyana’s growing economy
November 11 2026
Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn has invited French and French Guianese businesses to explore investment opportunities in Guyana, pointing to the country’s expanding construction sector, housing demand and growing economy.
Benn made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing the opening of the Guyana Exploratory Mission at Duke Lodge, Georgetown, where representatives from mainland France and French territories gathered to explore business opportunities and strengthen economic ties.
The event was held at the invitation of French Ambassador to Guyana Olivieri Plançon and also brought together officials, including Senior Director of Investment at the Guyana Office for Investment, John Edghill.
Highlighting the construction sector’s contribution to national development, Benn said the industry recorded 24.7 per cent growth during the first half of 2026, with projections indicating that growth could exceed 27 per cent by the end of the year.
She also outlined the Government’s housing programme between 2020 and 2025, during which more than 53,000 house lots were allocated and approximately 3,000 homes constructed, with a focus on low- and moderate-income families, young people and women.
According to Benn, persons between the ages of 21 and 35 accounted for 54 per cent of the allocations, while 46.93 per cent went to women and another 23.57 per cent were jointly held.
Since 2020, more than 100 new housing areas have been developed, with an emphasis on modern planning, infrastructure and sustainable communities.
Benn identified Silica City as an example of Guyana’s urban development vision, incorporating smart-city principles and climate-resilient designs. She also highlighted the proposed Canal City development, which forms part of a wider initiative being pursued in collaboration with The King’s Foundation to combine modern urban living with nature, heritage and wellness.
The minister said the Government is also working to make the regulatory environment more efficient and attractive to investors.
She pointed to the Ministry’s online Single Window System, which is intended to streamline planning and building approval processes, improve transparency and reduce delays for developers.
Efforts are also underway to strengthen building codes, planning regulations and inspection procedures to ensure construction projects meet safety and durability standards.
Benn said the growing demand for housing presents opportunities for public-private partnerships and joint ventures, while the expansion of the economy creates room for greater investment in financial services.
“Given the demand for housing, there are opportunities for public-private partnerships and joint ventures. […] Guyana is fertile ground for banks, financial institutions and fintech innovators,” she said.
She also highlighted the country’s wider economic performance, citing figures from the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV report, which recognised Guyana as the only country among the 37 nations in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative to have attained high-income status.
Benn said public debt stood at approximately 29 per cent of Gross Domestic Product at the end of 2025, while a joint IMF-World Bank assessment placed Guyana at low risk of external and overall debt distress.
She further noted that the oil economy grew by 33.3 per cent during the first half of 2026, while the non-oil economy expanded by 10.1 per cent.
Reaffirming the Government’s willingness to work with foreign investors, Benn said businesses from France and French Guiana would be welcomed as partners in Guyana’s development.
The Guyana Exploratory Mission, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of French Guiana through Team France Export Antilles-Guyane, runs from November 10, 2026, and is intended to give visiting representatives an opportunity to meet local businesses, examine investment prospects and strengthen commercial relations.
