When I provided security for a corporate team for GE Transportation Systems who went to the Middle East, I was part of a very large security system that was actually hosted by the US State Dept. We were basically private security for the sales team (looking to sell locomotives and generators) while they traveled in the UAE, Suadi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We were surrounded by Xe (formerly BLACKWATER) security in the green zone of Iraq as well as in Kuwait. We were basically the "inner defense" and the Xe guys had hard body armor, automatic assault rifles, grenades and explosives, and even a helo for air support. It was hard to distinguish them from US troops. But then BLACKWATER is a multi-billion dollar company. I was the junior member of the team (brought in to drive) and was a designated driver, but I never drove in Baghdad. The Xe guys had up-armored Suburbans and drove us everywhere in a big convoy with machineguns and AT weapons on support/security vehicles. They were very professional to deal with. We wore soft body armor, carried concealed pistols, and wore polo shirts in public. We did have MP5s in the vehicles but Xe was carrying enough firepower that we were designated to just grab our "Principals" and take cover in the event of an incident.
Up North in Iraq, I didn't feel as safe. We were dealing with contractors from a big company called Global Tech Security and they were riding around in Toyota vans and pickups with MP5s and soft body armor just like we had. No heavy weapons either. They weren't as disciplined as the Xe guys either. I'm told that they mostly recruited cops and security guards instead of ex-military and it showed in their behavior.
In Afghanistan, we were covered by US Army personnel and never left the secured areas outside of Baghram or the Capitol.
For my trip to Africa, I was approached by a friend of mine who introduced me to Dave. He was a startup company (now closed) who had tried to get a piece of the "middle east PMC pie" but had failed. He then turned his attention to Africa because it was possible to get jobs there. I didn't realize just how "green" Dave was about Executive Protection until we got the job taking those missionaries to Africa. The issue with jobs like that is they are not good-paying jobs and the people who take them have to cut corners to make a buck doing them. The only reason you normally see these types of jobs is some INSURANCE COMPANY is demanding you have security or they won't give you any "kidnap insurance" for your trip. Dave was no exception here. It was just him and me escorting these missionaries. We had issues just getting our stuff (mainly power tools) into the country. They were held up at customs even though we did a carnet and paid the vat taxes for our consumables. He didn't understand how the African countries worked (on the BRIBERY SYSTEM). Then we didn't have our jingle trucks show up to haul us. Fortunately, we had a GREAT local guide who was affiliated with the Christian Ministries who helped us overcome the various obstacles in a timely fashion. You haven't lived until you have ridden a "train" comprised of a wooden platform attached to two old railroad truccs (wheel assemblies) and driven by a belt drive attached to an old outboard motor. Everything (and everyone) is just sitting on top of this wooden platform trucking through the jungle at 10mph.
You see, in Africa, they have "micro-economies." People are so poor that stores will sell a single cigarette out of a pack or a squeeze of toothpaste (bring your own container), or a pair of aspirin. This micro-economy mindset CAN BE EXPLOITED to get things done. I brought pens, BIC lighters, cheap Casio watches (the $13 WALMART specials), small bottles of booze (like hotels have in their curtesy bars), and candy bars. I hid these in our luggage and our cargo. They were a form of "bribery" that is often used in Africa to "grease the wheels" of local authorities. These are NOT money, so if you give a border agent a package of black pens, a candy bar, a Cassio watch, and a bottle of vodka as a "gift," he will expedite your customs paperwork...
I also used such techniques at security checkpoints and with other individuals that we interacted with while we were in Africa. To me, it was about $250 worth of cheap items I brought to Africa. To the Africans, it was an otherwise unobtainable treasure. This bribery is SO COMMON, you can start a thread explosion in any sailing forum just mentioning the bribes Egyptian PILOTS on the Suez Canal extort from private boat captains using the Canal.
So, as you can see, PERSUASION (along with a "gift") is often the best means to resolving any issues you might have in a place like Africa. BUT... BE ADVISED... flashing lots of cash will often have the opposite effect. The Africans will "covet" what you have and "gifts" will become expensive and you will likely as not get robbed. So displays of wealth should not be the order of the day.