World Bank bans three PwC entities over misconduct in East African energy project
The World Bank has imposed a 21-month debarment on three PwC entities in Africa following findings of misconduct linked to a major regional electricity infrastructure programme between Ethiopia and Kenya.
The sanctioned firms – PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda and PwC Associates Africa (based in Mauritius) – were found to have engaged in practices that breached the World Bank’s integrity rules during work on the Eastern Electricity Highway Project.
The project forms part of a wider East African power integration initiative designed to enable Ethiopia to export surplus electricity to Kenya, while supporting efforts to reduce regional energy costs and improve grid stability.
Findings of misconduct
According to the World Bank’s sanctions decision, the misconduct occurred during the selection and execution of the ‘Fixed Asset Inventory and Revaluation’ assignment for the Ethiopian electric utility. The bank found that the firms misrepresented the availability, qualifications, and employment status of key experts proposed for the assignment. It also concluded that not all subcontracting arrangements were fully disclosed.
These actions were deemed to fall short of the World Bank’s procurement and integrity standards for projects financed by multilateral development institutions.
The sanctions mean the affected PwC entities, along with their affiliates, are ineligible to participate in World Bank-financed projects during the debarment period. The decision may also extend to other multilateral development banks through cross-debarment mechanisms.
Settlement and compliance measures
The debarment was issued as part of a negotiated settlement, under which the three entities admitted culpability for sanctionable practices.
As part of the agreement, the PwC entities committed to a series of remedial measures, including internal disciplinary action, strengthened compliance systems, enhanced staff training, and continued cooperation with oversight processes.
The World Bank noted that the 21-month duration reflects these corrective actions, with the possibility of early reinstatement if conditions are met.
In 2025, PwC exited around a dozen African countries following a strategic review at the global level.
