US$192M Mahaica Highway Expansion Will Support, Not Disrupt, Businesses

The $192.3 million Sheriff Street to Mahaica four-lane highway expansion won’t hurt local businesses, according to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill. Addressing business owners’ concerns during a stakeholder meeting, Edghill emphasized that the government’s infrastructure agenda is pro-business, citing past projects like the Sheriff-Mandela road where commerce thrived during construction.

The 30.8 km roadway will improve connectivity to emerging industrial zones like Enmore and includes 76 bridges, 42 culverts, and 28 km of concrete drains. Signalized junctions and medians have been carefully planned to balance safety and access. This development sets the foundation for Guyana’s east coast economic corridor.

Linden Highway Upgrade Promises Smoother Commute and Economic Upside

The $30B Linden-Soesdyke Highway upgrade, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, is on track for major improvements in six months, including roundabouts, bridges, culverts, truck laybys, and enhanced lighting. Minister Edghill says the project is vital for reducing transport costs and improving trade routes between Georgetown and interior regions.

A reduced speed limit is under consideration during the construction phase to ensure worker safety. With the area seeing rising industrial activity, the improved highway is poised to support commerce, logistics, and real estate development across Guyana’s hinterland corridor.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

SMALL ENTERPRISES (Sole Traders & Microbusinesses)

1. Roadside Service and Refreshment Stalls Along the Linden Highway

Opportunity: With six months of ongoing upgrades on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, there's a short-term and long-term demand for roadside stalls offering snacks, beverages, and basic vehicle services.

Why it works:

• Increased traffic and worker presence during construction

• Post-construction, smoother routes will attract more private and commercial vehicles

Note: Mobile carts and tents are cost-effective entry models. Local farmers can supply fruits/snacks.

2. Legal Support Services Near New Courthouses

Opportunity: The opening of the $449.6M Friendship Magistrate’s Court—and others underway—creates demand for affordable legal-related services.

Ideas:

• Photocopying and document preparation services

• Bailiff assistance

• Legal stationery supplies

Note: Small enterprises could operate from kiosks or shared spaces near courts, targeting both lawyers and residents accessing justice.

3. Fashion Accessories and Custom Wear Startups for ORIGINS Festival

Opportunity: ORIGINS Fashion Festival in May is opening the door for niche fashion producers to gain visibility and sales locally and internationally.

Ideas:

• Handmade accessories, traditional wear, or eco-friendly apparel

• Costume and avant-garde fashion items

Note: Social media can serve as the main sales and promotion tool. Partnering with models or micro-influencers helps visibility.

MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (Growing SMEs)

1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Tech or Equipment Supply

Opportunity: The Ministry of Labour’s push for AI in OHS provides a ripe moment to supply safety gear, IoT-based workplace sensors, or consult on AI integration in industrial safety.

Products/Services:

• Smart PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

• AI-based hazard detection systems

• Safety audits and training workshops

Note: Partnering with oil, gas, and construction contractors will create long-term contracts.

2. Highway and Industrial Zone Logistics Services

Opportunity: The Sheriff to Mahaica and Enmore expansions (Enmore to become a full industrial zone) will create logistics and warehousing needs.

Ideas:

• Short-haul logistics and cargo consolidation services

• Storage and fulfilment hubs for construction materials or industrial inputs

Note: Securing land along the route now will offer strategic advantage later.

3. Event Production or Creative Industry Services for ORIGINS Festival

Opportunity: A growing creative economy and government-backed platforms like ORIGINS present an opportunity to be a backend enabler.

Ideas:

• Provide stage setup, lighting, video production, or live-streaming services

• Offer talent management and production logistics

Note: This is a good entry point into government and tourism-linked creative contracts.

LARGE ENTERPRISES (Well-Funded, National Scale)

1. Construction & Infrastructure Partnerships

Opportunity: Massive investments in roadworks (e.g., $192.3M Sheriff-Mahaica project, $30B Soesdyke-Linden upgrade) present joint venture or subcontracting opportunities.

Areas to explore:

• Civil works (bridges, culverts, roundabouts)

• Road safety systems (barriers, signage, lighting)

Note: Collaborate with international firms like China Railway First Group or submit bids through local consortia.

2. Industrial Estate Development in Enmore

Opportunity: Government announced that Enmore will become an industrial estate, similar to Wales. This paves the way for land acquisition, commercial real estate development, and utility infrastructure deployment.

Ideas:

• Develop ready-to-lease warehouse or factory shells

• Establish a utility microgrid or water treatment service

Note: Early engagement with Go-Invest could secure anchor tenant deals and incentives.

3. National OHS Technology Integration for Oil, Gas & Mining

Opportunity: Leverage the government’s OHS digitization push by offering enterprise-level AI and robotics safety integration across extractive sectors.

Ideas:

• Offer a turnkey AI safety ecosystem—drones, machine learning, real-time analytics

• Form industry-wide consortiums with oil majors to standardize best practices

Note: ExxonMobil’s public support for AI in workplace safety creates fertile ground for proactive solutions.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Weekend Court Services Vendor (Friendship Magistrate’s Court + Other New Courts)

What it is:
A weekend/early morning side hustle offering on-the-spot court services outside newly opened or soon-to-open courthouses (e.g., Friendship, Diamond, La Parfaite Harmonie).

Services could include:

• Photocopying and printing

• Affidavit formatting and typing assistance

• Legal document holders, envelopes, and pens

• Light refreshments for early arrivals

Why it's high value:

• Zero overhead if you use a folding table or cart and a portable printer

• Consistent foot traffic from lawyers, clients, and families

• Expanding court infrastructure = growing demand

Start-up cost: GYD $30,000–$80,000 depending on whether you add printing services or just retail stationery/snacks

2. Remote OHS Compliance & Digital Safety Auditing (AI + Safety Push)

What it is:
Using AI-powered templates and checklists (many are free or low-cost online), offer small companies basic safety audit reports, site visit templates, and risk assessments tailored for workplaces.

Who would buy:

• Small construction crews

• Contractors in remote areas (Region One, Region Seven)

• Businesses trying to align with Labour Ministry’s new AI-driven safety goals

Why it's high value:

• The Ministry of Labour just announced a national focus on digital and AI-based health & safety

• Low competition; you can sell services via WhatsApp or Typeform + Email

• Weekend-only work is possible — reports can be written in your spare time

Start-up cost: Near zero if using Google Docs, ChatGPT, or existing safety templates online

3. Industrial Zone Property Scout or “Finder” for Enmore Expansion

What it is:
Act as a part-time connector for people who own land or old structures along the upcoming Sheriff to Mahaica route, especially near Enmore (now being converted to an industrial zone).

What you do:

• Build a small database of landowners

• Connect them with buyers or lease-seekers (logistics firms, local contractors, SMEs)

• Charge a flat finder’s fee or take a commission from sale/lease deals

Why it’s high value:

• Early entry while prices are still reasonable

• High-value asset class (commercial land near new roads = future goldmine)

• Can be done part-time through phone calls, WhatsApp, and Google Sheets

Start-up cost: GYD $0–$10,000 depending on how you market (flyers, calls, or online)