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December 27, 2025
December 27, 2025
December 27, 2025
Second-year Law student David Thomas has won the top prize in the NCB Capital Markets Essay Competition, securing $150,000 with a submission that judges said stood out for its analysis of whether wealth from oil and other natural resources drives sustainable national growth or fosters economic dependence.
Thomas, entering the competition for the second time, examined Guyana’s oil and gas sector alongside global examples and offered recommendations for sustainable development.
Reflecting on his win, he said: “The topic resonates with many Guyanese. It felt good to put my perspective on paper and contribute to the conversation.”
He added: “This competition celebrates dedication, ambition and big picture thinking. These are qualities our country needs, and I am grateful to NCB Capital Markets [Limited] for giving students this opportunity.”
Sixteen-year-old sixth form student Samithadevi Anandakumar of School of the Nations placed second, earning $100,000 for an essay comparing Guyana’s oil boom with countries such as Venezuela and South Africa and underscoring the need to diversify into non-oil sectors.
“My essay compared the oil boom in Guyana with other nations such as Venezuela and South Africa, examining their past, present, and possible future outcomes. I wanted to emphasise that Guyana must also invest in other sectors beyond oil to ensure long-term national growth,” Anandakumar noted.
Both recipients also received a complimentary Caribbean Securities Course voucher from the Jamaica Stock Exchange, aimed at expanding access to financial education resources.
The annual NCB Capital Markets Essay Competition encourages Guyanese tertiary students to analyse national economic issues and demonstrate strong research skills. Now in its second year, it continues to draw participants from disciplines including law, medicine, economics, international relations and sixth form programmes.
Jenelle Alexander, Senior Manager of Corporate and Investment Banking at NCB Merchant Bank Trinidad and Tobago Limited, said: “We are incredibly proud of these talented young thinkers who have shown such depth, creativity, and passion in their ideas. Their perspectives remind us that the region’s growth story is not only being written in boardrooms, but also in classrooms by the next generation of economists and innovators.”
The awards ceremony was held at the World Trade Centre in Georgetown, with shortlisted entrants and representatives from several educational institutions, including the University of Guyana and School of the Nations, in attendance.
