How do people in Guyana pay online?
Most consumers pay in cash. The US Commercial Service describes Guyana as a cash-based society in which cash is the most common way consumers pay. Credit and debit cards are accepted mainly by large businesses, such as higher-end supermarkets, restaurants and hotels, and many smaller sellers, including many gas stations, still do not take them.
Online shopping is growing from a small base. The same guide says the COVID-19 pandemic pushed local e-commerce forward, with startups in delivery, food, retail and healthcare, and that credit cards and mobile payments are beginning to be more widely accepted. The World Bank, using ITU data, puts internet use at 83.0% of the population in 2024.
Mobile Money Guyana leads mobile payments. The US Commercial Service says one company, Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), occupies most of the mobile payment and wallet market. MMG describes itself as Guyana’s first mobile financial platform: users pay bills, send money, top up phones and shop at supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants, and deposit or withdraw cash at agents.
Google Pay is listed for online and in-app payments in Guyana, while Apple Pay is not on Apple’s list of supported countries.
What rules shape online payments in Guyana?
VAT is 14%. PwC reports that VAT is charged at 14% or 0% on taxable supplies of goods and services in Guyana by a registered person, with exports zero-rated and exemptions for items such as financial services, education and certain food. The US Commercial Service adds that VAT applies equally to imports and local goods, and that businesses with taxable supplies of GYD 15 million or more over 12 months must register.
An e-commerce law is still pending. The government has prioritised an e-commerce bill, but it had not been tabled in parliament when the guide was published in May 2026.
Foreign exchange is controlled. The Bank of Guyana keeps a transaction exchange rate of 208.5 Guyana dollars per US dollar. In September 2025 the government announced a nine-point foreign exchange control plan to manage a shortage of US dollars, including a requirement that banks get government verification of import invoices and bills of lading before they approve foreign currency exchanges.
How would Omno route payments in Guyana?
A merchant would connect once and set routing rules per method, currency and customer group. In Guyana:
- Card pay-ins would be routed by BIN, so local and international cards each go to the provider set for them, with cascading to the next provider in the rule if one is unavailable or rejects the request.
- MMG mobile money could be offered through providers that support it, with the order pending until the provider confirms the payment.
- Currency rules could send GYD payments to providers with local support and other currencies to international providers.
Webhooks would report the final status of every payment, and the routing-decision log would show which provider handled each payment and why.
What should merchants plan for?
Plan for cards and mobile money side by side. Cards are spreading but still limited, and MMG covers most mobile wallet users, so offering both reaches more shoppers.
Plan for cash habits. Many shoppers are used to paying in cash, so clear payment links and order confirmations help them trust an online payment.
Plan for currency. Foreign exchange is controlled and US dollars are scarce, so check how your providers settle Guyana dollar payments before you price in GYD.