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Guyana holds general election as candidates vie for control of country's oil wealth

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 1st 2025 at 9:37 GMT by WDIO
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Guyana’s 2025 General Election: Contesting the Nation’s New‑Era Oil Wealth

In a historic moment for the South American nation, Guyana is holding a general election that will decide not only the next president but also the future of the country’s staggering offshore oil reserves. Over 60 million barrels of crude oil have already been discovered beneath the Caribbean Sea, and the race among candidates is now more than a battle for the presidency—it is a contest for the stewardship of a resource that could rewrite Guyana’s economic destiny.

1. The Stakes: A New “Oil Boom” in a Developing Nation

Guyana’s discovery of the Stabroek Block, a massive offshore oil field, was announced in 2015 and began production in 2020. The block is held by a consortium of Exxon Mobil, Hess Corporation and Cabot Oil & Gas. Since production started, the country has produced more than 70 million barrels of oil, a figure that dwarfs its historical GDP.

The revenue from this oil boom is expected to dwarf any other source of income for the next decade. The government has projected that by 2026, oil revenues could exceed 30 % of GDP. The question is not whether Guyana will become wealthy, but how that wealth will be managed and distributed.

A 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that sudden oil windfalls could create a “Dutch disease,” where the country’s export base becomes over‑reliant on oil, undermining other sectors. Meanwhile, local communities on the east coast of Guyana and indigenous peoples have expressed concerns over environmental impacts and equitable distribution of profits. Thus, the upcoming election is seen as a referendum on how these tensions will be resolved.

2. The Political Landscape: Key Parties and Their Candidates

The election is being contested by several parties, but the focus remains on the two most prominent: the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the opposition Guyana National Congress (GNC).

The PPP’s political machinery is deep‑rooted in the country’s history: it has governed since 1992, except for the brief period when the Guyana Congress for the People (GCP) won in 2020. The party’s stronghold is the coastal plain and the main commercial cities such as Georgetown and New Amsterdam. Conversely, the GNC draws most of its support from rural areas in the interior, particularly the Amerindian and African‑descendant populations who have traditionally felt underrepresented in national politics.

3. Campaign Issues: Oil, Governance, and Development

3.1 Oil Governance

Both parties have to address how oil profits will be used. Granger has promised to continue the PPP’s “National Development Strategy” and to create a National Oil Fund that will channel a portion of the revenue into public infrastructure, education, and health care. Brathwaite argues that the PPP’s management of oil has so far been opaque and that a sovereign wealth fund—independent of the executive—should be established to ensure that the revenue is invested wisely and transparently.

3.2 Environmental Concerns

Oil production poses significant environmental risks: potential spills, marine ecosystem damage, and pollution of freshwater sources. The GNC has highlighted past incidents where oil pipelines ruptured in the interior, affecting local fisheries and indigenous communities. They pledge to implement stricter environmental safeguards and to involve community representatives in monitoring.

3.3 Economic Diversification

The IMF’s warning about Dutch disease has prompted both parties to propose diversification plans. The PPP proposes investment in agro‑processing, mining, and digital technology to reduce reliance on oil. The GNC, meanwhile, champions small‑to‑medium enterprise development and vocational training programs to broaden the workforce.

3.4 Social Services

Education and health are perennial election topics. Granger claims that oil revenues have already increased the national health budget by 12 % since 2020. Brathwaite counters by pointing to persistent inequities in rural schools and the need for better infrastructure. He promises to allocate a significant portion of oil revenue to rural health clinics and educational facilities.

4. The Election Process: How It Will Play Out

The Election Commission of Guyana (ECG) set the vote on September 5, 2025, after a postponement due to logistical preparations. The vote will be conducted across 48 polling stations nationwide, with early voting set up in major cities. The counting process involves a two‑stage system: initial tallies by local electoral officers followed by a national audit overseen by the ECG.

Voter turnout has historically hovered around 80 %. In 2020, the PPP won 51 % of the popular vote but lost a narrow margin of seats due to the opposition coalition. The 2025 election is expected to be even tighter, with pollsters predicting a split between PPP and GNC candidates, and a potential swing toward the smaller WPA if they can mobilize their base.

5. What’s at Risk: Beyond Oil

While oil revenue is the headline, the election has broader implications for Guyana’s political culture and international standing. The country has been courting investment from China, the United States, and the European Union, each eyeing the strategic importance of Guyana’s newfound energy supply. A decisive victory for either major party could shift Guyana’s foreign policy alignment—especially regarding trade agreements and infrastructural loans.

Moreover, the election will test Guyana’s democratic institutions. In 2020, the opposition alleged irregularities in the vote counting. The 2025 election will be a litmus test for the independence of the ECG and the rule of law.

6. Looking Ahead

As Guyana heads into the election, the focus remains sharply on how oil wealth will be managed. A winner that can convincingly blend economic opportunity with social justice and environmental stewardship will likely secure the trust of voters across the country’s diverse demographics.

For the world, Guyana’s election is a case study in how resource wealth can be leveraged for national development without compromising democratic values or social equity. Whatever the outcome, the 2025 general election is bound to be a watershed moment, marking the start of a new chapter in Guyana’s journey from a low‑income, agrarian nation to a potential energy powerhouse in the Caribbean region.