The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, target Mauritius-based PwC Associates Africa Ltd., PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Limited. They are tied to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project under the First Phase of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program in Ethiopia.
The project, designed to increase the volume and reduce the cost of electricity supply in Kenya while generating revenues for Ethiopia through electricity exports, was intended to boost regional power integration and reduce energy costs for consumers.
According to the World Bank, the PwC firms, prominent for providing audit, tax, and advisory services, “obtained confidential procurement information from project officials to improperly influence the award of a consultancy services contract in 2019” for implementing International Financial Reporting Standards at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
Investigators also found attempts by the firms to influence the award of a contract for Fixed Asset Inventory and Revaluation for the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU FAIR Contract). During the selection and execution of that contract, PwC Associates “misrepresented the availability, qualifications, and employment status of key experts, and failed to fully disclose all subconsultants.” The Bank said these actions “constitute collusive and fraudulent practices under the Bank Group Consultant Guidelines.”
As a result, the three firms and any affiliates they control are barred from participating in World Bank-financed projects and operations. The debarment is part of a settlement agreement under which the companies admitted to wrongdoing.
The World Bank noted that the reduced debarment period takes into account the firms’ “admission of misconduct, cooperation, strengthening of aspects of their existing integrity compliance program, and voluntary remedial actions,” including internal investigations, disciplinary measures against responsible staff, training, and ceasing business with involved subconsultants.
PwC firms must also implement or enhance integrity compliance programs aligned with the Bank’s guidelines and continue full cooperation with the Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency to regain eligibility. PricewaterhouseCoopers Africa Limited, which oversees PwC network firms in Africa, signed the agreement as a non-sanctioned party.
The Bank added that the debarment “qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks” under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, raising the potential for wider repercussions across Africa.
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