A gathering of international goodwill
Friday, March 06, 2026 | 70 Views |
Diplomatic corps meeting. PIC BWPRESIDENCY FACEBOOK
One of the most expensive things a country can lose is international goodwill. In fact, international goodwill is priceless. For a while, investors can continue to be attracted by pure returns, but at some point, the loss of international goodwill is what turns once hopeful countries into global pariahs that no one is willing to touch.
Examples abound of countries that, for various reasons, have lost substantial international goodwill and find themselves ostracised by many, shunned by potential development partners, paying a steep cost for whatever little loans can still be sourced and facing years of hard work to regain global trust.
That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...