NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 – The World Bank has barred three PricewaterhouseCoopers firms in Kenya, Rwanda and Mauritius from participating in its funded projects for 21 months over fraud and collusion.
The affected entities include PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda and PwC Associates Africa Ltd., linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project under the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program in Ethiopia.
The lender said the firms obtained confidential procurement information in 2019 to influence the award of consultancy contracts for Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
They also attempted to influence another contract involving Ethiopian Electric Utility and misrepresented the qualifications and availability of key experts.
The debarment makes the firms and their affiliates ineligible for World Bank-funded projects during the period.
However, the penalty was reduced after the companies admitted misconduct, cooperated with investigations and took corrective measures, including internal disciplinary action and compliance reforms.
The firms must now strengthen and implement integrity compliance programmes in line with World Bank guidelines before being reinstated.
