A recent story we covered on a UK security printer offered a twist on the usual articles on lost contracts and outsourcing misery. The Kenyan government sent the contract for its 43m ballot papers to local firm Smith & Ouzman. Africa outsourcing to the UK? Of course – when it comes to high-quality and highly sophisticated work, where better?
But when it comes to bank note printing catastrophes in Africa, you'd be hard pressed to beat the palaver in Zimbabwe. The central bank has slashed three zeros from its currency for the second time this year, against a backdrop of raging inflation. The priceless quote from bank governor Gideon Gono? "I know the zeros we removed last time came back quickly, but this time we are doing it in such a way they will not return."
He didn't elaborate.
If the Zimbabwean economy weren't in such dire straits, you'd think the production needs implicit in ever-changing currency denominations would make for a hefty printing contract. And if they wanted the best print possible, I'd recommend outsourcing to Blighty.