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The Government of Guyana has launched the Guyana Development Bank (GDB), which will give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) loans of up to $3 million with no collateral and no interest.
The bank began operations on 5 October 2026 and will serve businesses in all ten regions of Guyana.
The government says the launch delivers a commitment from the PPP/C’s 2025 manifesto and follows earlier announcements by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It expects the bank to make financing easier to get and cheaper for SMEs with credible, viable business plans, whether they are starting up or expanding.
The government said it expects the GDB to create “significant opportunities for growth and expansion in the SME sector” across the productive economy.
The GDB is accessed through an online platform at gdb.gov.gy, in line with the government’s push for digitisation. Businesses use it to apply for loans and submit supporting information. Beyond finance, the government expects the bank to support financial inclusion, financial literacy, digital inclusion and digital literacy.
The platform offers two types of loans:
- Quick Loans: below $300,000. These have a simplified process and need less paperwork.
- SME loans: between $300,000 and $3 million. These need slightly more documentation, though the government says the system stays simple to use.
Approved loans are paid straight into the borrower’s bank account, and repayments are made through the banking and financial system.
Borrowers manage their loans on the same platform until they are repaid. Those who want in-person help can request an appointment with a bank officer through the platform.
