‘No cash grant for Christmas’ …Pres. Ali dangles $100K payout for all adults in 2026 budget

Dec 18, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The anticipation of thousands of Guyanese who tuned in to President Irfaan Ali’s more than two-hour national address on Wednesday night ended in disappointment, as it became clear that there would be no cash grant payout for Christmas.

Addressing the nation from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, President Ali spent hours outlining his administration’s vision, policies and plans to accelerate Guyana’s transformation over the next five years. It was near the end of his presentation that he announced provisions would be made in the 2026 national budget for a $100,000 cash grant for every Guyanese citizen aged 18 years and older.

Expectations had been heightened following comments made by Ali during the election campaign earlier this year. In one of his August 2025 campaign speeches, Ali had hinted that Guyanese could receive another cash grant payout before the end of the year if the People’s Progressive Party was re-elected at the September 1 General and Regional Elections.

In the lead-up to Christmas, expectation among Guyanese continued to grow, with many hoping Wednesday night’s address would bring confirmation of the long-anticipated payout. Opposition parties, including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), had also publicly called on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to honour what they described as a promise to deliver the cash grant for the holidays.

“We will have a beautiful Christmas. Look at the smile on my face and know that you will have an enjoyable holiday,” Ali had said at the time. Since that statement, many citizens had been anticipating an announcement confirming a Christmas payout.  Despite earlier assurances of ‘a bright and happy Christmas,’ no such cash grant for all adult citizens will be paid out during the holiday season.

Notably, under the first Irfaan Ali-led administration a $100,000 cash grant for citizens aged 18 and older was introduced in 2024. That payout continued into early 2025 and benefitted more than 600,000 Guyanese. Moreover, during his address, President Ali also noted that the national budget would be presented early next year and would cater for several increases promised in the PPP’s 2025 manifesto.

Ali further stated that his administration’s vision for success does not rest solely on economic progress or wealth accumulation, but also on a fundamental shift in national mindset and values. “All of this could be lost if we don’t change our mindset and build a more caring and value base society, not a society of want but a society of need, not a society of convenience but a society of structure, deliberate strategies to uphold, uplift and promote each other,” President Ali said.

Railway link

Meanwhile, President Ali also revealed that the government is examining possible options for the construction of a massive rail transit system. “In this regard, we are evaluating possible options for a mass transit system, especially to ease congestion in Georgetown, as well as to move cargo from Lethem to Guyana’s Atlantic coast,” he announced at the ACCC.  

Earlier this year, the head-of-state revealed that the Ministry of Housing is undertaking a feasibility study on the project.  The aim is to create a modern, well-connected Guyana, where communities, including those in Guyana’s remote and hinterland areas, can access opportunities and participate in Guyana’s development.

The President also said that as Guyana transitions to a modern and digitally driven economy. He announced that over 600,000 Guyanese are now integrated into the country’s financial system.  “We firmly believe that everyone should have equal access to participate fully in our economy, beginning with the fundamental ability to open a bank account. That is why we drastically simplified the requirement for opening bank accounts,” he told the audience.  “These simplified procedures are already in operation. Today, more Guyanese than ever before are part of the formal banking system. In fact, the number of bank accounts has grown by more than 65,000 since 2020,” President Ali said.

Earlier this year, the president called on Guyanese to ensure they open bank accounts, as the government aims to deliver social cash transfers via the banking system. Additionally, online banking is operational at four commercial local banks, making the process of creating a bank account much easier, including for those in the hinterland regions.  “This is progress in financial inclusion and empowerment that is measurable. Moving forward, to ensure that every Guyanese has access to the banking system, and access to opportunity that exists in Guyana, today, every effort will be made to encourage them to open their own bank account,” he affirmed.  To further modernise the financial system, President Ali announced that a junior stock exchange will be created.  Financial reform aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s commitment outlined in its 2025 Manifesto. The government aims to foster a more inclusive financial system that will empower all Guyanese to access the system and to participate in saving and investment opportunities.

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• budget, cash grant, Christmas, payout, Railway link

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