World Bank Bans PwC Firms in Africa Over Corruption

Kampala, Uganda | AGOOKYA

The World Bank and its partners have banned three PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) subsidiaries in Africa from participating in their projects for 21 months over corruption.

The affected firms — PwC Associates Africa Ltd, PwC Limited Kenya, and PwC Rwanda Limited — admitted to fraudulently obtaining confidential bidding information in a $1.1 billion Ethiopia-Kenya electricity interconnection project.

The World Bank said this gave the firms an unfair advantage in the contract award process.

The 1,068-kilometre transmission line is part of the Eastern Africa Power Pool, which aims to connect power grids across 11 countries and support electricity trade in the region. The project is expected to help address persistent power shortages amid rising demand.

Following investigations, the PwC firms admitted to collusive and fraudulent practices. A negotiated settlement led to a 21-month ban, with a possibility of early release if conditions are met.

As part of the agreement, PwC committed to internal investigations, disciplinary action against responsible staff, ending ties with involved subcontractors, and strengthening compliance systems.

The debarment also applies to projects funded by partners such as the African Development Bank and Agence Française de Développement.

The World Bank maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on corruption and has banned over 1,000 firms and individuals since 2011 for similar offences.