Rural Revolution: ICT Project Delivers Digital Empowerment to Guyana’s Remote Communities

By Neil Marks

neil@newsroom.gy

Hotoquai. Hobodeia. Wiruni. Most Guyanese may have never heard these names, let alone know how to pronounce them.

These are remote communities, located in Barima/Waini, the region at the top of Guyana if you look at the country on the map.

The villages are among over 100 remote and poor communities that are now connected to the internet, thanks to what is called the ICT Access and E-Services for Hinterland, Poor, and Remote Communities Project.

The transformative initiative is aimed at bridging the digital divide in Guyana by providing reliable internet access and enhancing digital infrastructure in underserved rural and remote areas.

“Every day, additional communities are being connected in our hinterland,” said Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips at a recent board meeting of the project.

The project focuses on the country’s hinterland regions, which have traditionally faced significant challenges in connectivity due to their geographic isolation and underdeveloped infrastructure.

“Connectivity is the lifeblood of modern society. By investing in ICT infrastructure, we are investing in the future of our nation – ensuring that no one is left behind, especially those in our hinterland communities.”

The project involves the construction of ICT hubs, equipped with internet connectivity, to serve as community centers for digital access. These hubs allow residents to access online services, participate in virtual learning, and engage in e-commerce.

Residents of Rincon in Region 1 stand in front the village’s ICT hub after completing training. Residents from 4, 000 communities are being will be trained in areas of Office Productivity, Internet Access and ICTs.

“The services offered by this project now afford and create equity in the area of information and communication, research, telemedicine and educational opportunities. among many other benefits, compared to those available on the coast,” Ronald Harsawack, the Project Manager told the News Room.

“We expect to see an uptake in the use of internet connection to improve business services, village tourism and access to other governmental services online,” he added.

To date, 120 hubs have been completed, with 115 fully operational.

“We have seen tremendous investments in the areas of infrastructure, equipment installation, training and ICT development in the past few years in all hinterland areas. New and modern buildings are being erected throughout the ten regions and full connectivity is closer to reality,” Harsawack stated.

Project Manager Ronald Harsawack hands over a certificate to a resident of Orealla in Region Six. 4,000 residents of hinterland communities are being trained in areas of Office Productivity, Internet Access and ICTs.

Recognizing the infrastructural challenges in remote areas, the project has installed photovoltaic systems (solar power) at 120 of the hubs to ensure they remain functional even in regions with limited or no access to the national electricity grid.

The initiative is not only about infrastructure but also about building local capacity. Grants have been awarded to Amerindian Village Councils and Community Development Councils to support community-led management of the ICT hubs. ICT hub managers and ICT technicians have received specialized training, with plans to extend ICT training to 4,000 community members by the end of the project.

Residents of Hotoquai received certification after completing training.

To boost connectivity, the government has acquired 1,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) devices, which provide enhanced internet access to remote and rural regions, ensuring broader and more reliable coverage. So far, 115 connections have been made.

Beyond providing internet access, the project promotes local development and digital literacy, empowering residents to participate in the digital economy. It facilitates online education, healthcare access, and social services, improving the overall quality of life for residents in these remote communities.

Of the benefits of the project, Harsawack stated: “I am heartened to see students and elders alike being able to type, surf and talk to their loved ones further afield.

“I have seen the young teachers from the Cyril Potter of Education utilizing these ICT Hubs for tuition sessions and nurses doing online schooling and training.

“We believe that building our human capacity is equally as important as building out infrastructure.”

The Government of Guyana has made significant financial allocations to the project. In the 2024 budget, $60 million was allocated for maintenance, with plans to double this to $120 million in 2025 for operational costs, ensuring the project’s sustainability.

Kimbia, located in the Berbice River, operationalised it’s ICT Hub in mid-September 2024. The building is fitted with furnishings, photovoltaic electricity, work-stations, smart television and 20 computers with Low Earth Orbit high-speed internet connection. A total of 115 such ICT hubs have been constructed in hinterland communities.

Total investment to date across the regions on civil works, equipment and training amounts to G$1,147,272,475.

In addition, so far, 143 grants have been awarded to hinterland communities valued at G$536,431,568

The project aims to construct additional ICT hubs and continue expanding its community-based training initiatives.

The ultimate goal is to connect 200 communities by December 2025, ensuring widespread digital inclusion.

The project is funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) and implemented by the Prime Minister’s Office with oversight from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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