Nairobi, Kenya: The World Bank has imposed a 21-month debarment on PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) firms in Kenya, Rwanda, and Mauritius, barring them from participating in any Bank-financed projects over fraud and collusion findings.
In a statement issued on March 18, 2026, the World Bank said the sanction affects PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda, and PwC Associates in Mauritius following investigations into misconduct linked to the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program.
The project, which includes the Ethiopian Electricity Highway, is designed to strengthen regional power connectivity by enabling electricity exports from Ethiopia to Kenya.
According to the World Bank, investigations found that in 2019 the PwC-linked entities engaged in improper conduct to influence contract awards.
The firms were found to have obtained confidential procurement information from project officials, giving them an unfair advantage during the bidding process.
They also misrepresented key personnel, including their availability and qualifications, and failed to disclose all subcontractors involved in the execution of the contracts—actions that violated the Bank’s procurement regulations.
The World Bank classified the conduct as both collusive and fraudulent, triggering sanctions under its integrity enforcement framework.
The debarment makes the three PwC entities, and any affiliates under their control, ineligible to participate in World Bank Group-financed projects and operations for the duration of the 21-month period.
However, the sanction stems from a negotiated settlement in which the firms acknowledged wrongdoing.
The World Bank noted that the companies had already voluntarily refrained from bidding on Bank-funded projects while the investigation and settlement process were ongoing.
As part of the agreement, PwC firms must implement a robust integrity compliance program aligned with World Bank standards before they can be reinstated.
The Bank also cited mitigating factors, including cooperation during investigations, internal corrective actions, and efforts to strengthen compliance systems and staff training.
Meanwhile, PwC Africa Limited, the regional oversight body, was not directly sanctioned but is expected to supervise compliance improvements across the affected firms.
The World Bank said the enforcement action reflects its commitment to protecting the integrity of development financing and ensuring transparency in procurement processes.
The case adds to growing scrutiny over governance and accountability in major infrastructure projects across East Africa, particularly those involving cross-border energy systems.
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