THE Innovation Challenge 2025, hosted by the Industry and Innovation Unit under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), officially opened on July 4 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, signalling Guyana’s bold leap forward in embracing youth-driven innovation, technological transformation, and inclusive development.
During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips delivered a compelling address, describing the Innovation Challenge as more than a competition, but a national movement that empowers young Guyanese minds to think boldly, act creatively, and build scalable solutions for the future.
“While the challenge may be brief, the ideas generated can outlast us all,” PM Phillips told the gathered audience. “We are a nation rich in potential, bursting with youthful energy, and poised for transformation.”
This year’s edition, themed “Transitioning Through Innovation,” runs from July 4 to 6 and features 11 teams from Regions Three, Four, and Six, all tasked with creating technology-based solutions to address real-world challenges in areas such as public service delivery, business, education, and social development.
Now in its third year and fifth edition, the Prime Minister celebrated the Challenge’s growth from a modest initiative into a flagship programme supported by SBM Offshore Guyana, its exclusive partner.

“It is truly a moment of celebration to see what began as a modest partnership between the Government of Guyana and the private sector blossom into a powerful example of what purposeful collaboration can achieve when driven by a shared vision,” he said.
The Prime Minister also noted that more than 60 teams have participated in the Challenge since its inception, and while the numbers are impressive, the true impact lies in the growing community of innovators who now view technology as a vital national asset.
“Technology has become more than a tool — it’s a catalyst for transforming communities, industries, and lives,” Phillips added.
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION
Director of the Industry and Innovation Unit, Shahrukh Hussain, emphasised that Innovation Challenge 2025 goes beyond coding and app development. It is, he said, “the beginning of a movement powered by artificial intelligence, human imagination, and shared commitment to solving real-world challenges.”
The Challenge provides a collaborative space for students, developers, engineers, creatives, and entrepreneurs to bridge the gap between ideas and implementation, as well as innovation and impact.
SBM Offshore Guyana, which continues to support the Challenge as a key component of its sustainability strategy, announced further investment in the winners’ growth.
Uma Madray, SBM’s Operations Sustainability Officer, shared that the company will offer an entrepreneurial training programme to the winning teams. The programme is designed to strengthen leadership, innovation, and business skills among young ‘tech’ innovators.
“It is our hope that this training will aid you in turning your winning prototypes into full-fledged functional applications,” Madray said. “Guyana’s development hinges on a workforce that understands and embraces the country’s evolving needs.”
As the three-day event unfolds, the Innovation Challenge 2025 is expected to not only unveil promising tech solutions but also highlight Guyana’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, creativity, and youth-led transformation.