World Bank Sanctions PwC Africa Units for Fraud & Misconduct

The World Bank Group has debarred three PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) affiliates in Africa – PwC Associates Africa Ltd. (Mauritius-based), PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Limited – for 21 months, effective March 18, 2026. The sanctions stem from collusive and fraudulent practices connected to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, a component of the First Phase of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program in Ethiopia.

According to the World Bank, the three PwC entities improperly obtained confidential procurement information from project officials in 2019. This information was then used to attempt to influence the awarding of a consultancy services contract for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation. The firms similarly sought to influence the award of a separate contract – the Fixed Asset Inventory and Revaluation for the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU FAIR Contract) – to PwC Associates.

The World Bank’s investigation revealed further misconduct during the selection and execution of the EEU FAIR Contract. PwC Associates misrepresented the availability, qualifications, and employment status of key experts assigned to the project, and failed to disclose all subconsultants involved. These actions constitute violations of the Bank Group Consultant Guidelines, specifically regarding collusive and fraudulent practices.

The Eastern Electricity Highway Project was designed to increase electricity supply in Kenya and reduce its cost, although simultaneously generating revenue for Ethiopia through electricity exports. The 21-month debarment prohibits PwC Associates, PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda, and any entities they control from participating in projects financed by the World Bank Group.

The debarment is part of a settlement agreement in which the three companies admitted culpability for the sanctionable practices. The World Bank statement did not detail any financial penalties associated with the settlement.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Africa Limited, the entity providing coordination and oversight to PwC network firms in Africa, signed the agreement alongside the three debarred affiliates. The World Bank has not indicated whether further action will be taken against other PwC entities.