Crisis Management in 2025: Threats, Repatriations, and Kidnaps Dominate the Landscape

In the ever-evolving global landscape, crisis management has become an increasingly critical aspect of investment decision-making. According to Willis, a WTW business, threats, political repatriations, and kidnaps for ransom have emerged as dominant issues in crisis management, shaping the investment climate and influencing portfolio allocations. This article explores the implications of these trends on the investment landscape and offers strategies for investors to mitigate risks and balance risk and return in their portfolios.



Threats against individuals or client assets (26% of incidents): The increasing threat landscape, particularly in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa (27% of total incidents) and Latin America (24%), poses significant risks to investors with operations in these areas. Companies in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors are particularly vulnerable, as highlighted by the 26% of incidents related to threats against individuals or client assets. To mitigate these risks, investors should:

* Conduct thorough geopolitical risk assessments to identify high-risk regions and sectors.
* Implement robust security measures and insurance coverage to protect assets and personnel.
* Monitor regional developments and adjust portfolio allocations accordingly.

Emergency political repatriations (21% of incidents): Political instability and unrest can disrupt operations and force companies to evacuate employees, as evidenced by the 21% of incidents involving emergency political repatriations. Regions with high political risk, such as the Middle East and North Africa, and countries with frequent elections and political turmoil, like those in Latin America, are most affected. To navigate this challenge, investors should:

* Stay informed about political developments and their potential impact on operations.
* Develop contingency plans for employee evacuation and business continuity in high-risk regions.
* Consider political risk insurance to protect against disruptions and losses.

Kidnaps for ransom (21% of incidents): The surge in kidnapping incidents, particularly in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico), underscores the importance of kidnapping and ransom insurance for investors. To address this risk, investors should:

* Obtain kidnapping and ransom insurance coverage for high-risk regions.
* Implement security measures and employee training to minimize the risk of kidnapping.
* Monitor regional trends and adjust security protocols as needed.

In conclusion, the dominance of threats, political repatriations, and kidnaps in the crisis management landscape highlights the importance of geopolitical risk management, insurance coverage, and proactive crisis management strategies for investors. By staying informed, diversifying portfolios, and implementing risk mitigation strategies, investors can better navigate the complex and evolving global investment climate.