One (perhaps last) post from me on this. There is nothing in practice that prevents governments from stipulation of equity buyback from foreign-owned entities over time, where national interest is paramount. For example, if we realize that we have gone down an unfavourable path, we can put in place regulation/laws laws that require gradual divestiture of foreign equity to local ownership; or increase of local ownership/control via new shares whose structure would largely favour local interests. There has been discussions on capacity (skills, finance, etc) on this matter with little mention on how this can be realized over time, be it with respect to change of business culture (essentially cooperation-competition=coopetion?), managerial training/mentorship, etc. all of which could be achieved with clear strategy of cooperation between government and education/research/etc institutions. For example, if we wanted experienced people (say 5 years down the road) that can do mergers/acquisition, raise capital (locally + internationally), manage complex projects (from conception, design, financing, etc.) ... we could be working more with our universities and colleges in this respect. Indeed, that would make them more relevant than in the present state where they are largely businesses churning out individuals with certificates (regardless of how they are acquired), some of who have little relevance to the job market! When I was growing up, there used to be the Directorate of Personnel Management whose role was to look at skills gaps and propose/implement options that would address such gaps. Western world countries have perfected this via investment in strategies that address such gaps and hence the number of scholarship and immigration opportunities for those that can address the gaps thus identified. If, as a country, we had such plans in place, for instance, we wouldn't be importing CEOs to run such a critical sector as telecoms. One last point: NOT all critical national interest matters are classified! And, at the expense of repeating myself, once we define what constitutes national interest and criteria thereof, it would be easy to identify what fits the bill. Have the very best of 2014, less querulous, I hope.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama@aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.;  www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda;  Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve! Call: +1-888-587-1150 (Canada) +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info@aganoconsulting.com Licensed by Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK)  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The best revenge is massive success" - Frank Sinatra----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.