The World Bank Group has suspended three PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) firms in Africa, including in Kenya, for 21 months after finding they took part in collusive and fraudulent conduct related to a major regional electricity project.

In a statement issued on March 18, 2026, the Bank Group said it was imposing the debarment with a conditional release on PwC Associates Africa Ltd (based in Mauritius), PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Limited.

The decision follows an investigation into their behaviour on the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, part of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Programme in Ethiopia.

The electricity programme was intended to raise the supply and lower the cost of power in Kenya, while also generating income for Ethiopia through power exports.

According to the Bank’s findings, the three PwC firms obtained confidential procurement information from officials working on the project. They then used that information to improperly influence the award of a consultancy contract in 2019 to implement International Financial Reporting Standards for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.

The Bank also determined that the firms tried to sway the award of a second contract – for Fixed Asset Inventory and Revaluation for the Ethiopian Electric Utility – in favour of PwC Associates.

PwC firms face ban

In addition, the Bank found that during the selection and delivery of this fixed asset contract, PwC Associates misrepresented key experts’ availability, qualifications and employment status, and failed to fully disclose all subconsultants involved.

“This conduct constitutes collusive and fraudulent practices under the Bank Group Consultant Guidelines,” the Bank stated.

As a result, PwC Associates, PwC Kenya and PwC Rwanda – along with any affiliates they control – are now barred from taking part in World Bank‑financed projects or operations.

The three firms accepted responsibility for the misconduct as part of a settlement agreement. In return, the Bank reduced the length of the debarment. The agreement noted their cooperation, actions taken to strengthen their compliance systems, and voluntary steps including staff training and an internal review.

Under the settlement, the firms must now develop and implement a compliance programme that meets the Bank Group’s integrity standards before their debarment can end.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Africa Limited – which oversees PwC network firms in Africa – signed the settlement as a non‑sanctioned party, given its role in monitoring compliance.

The firms have also pledged to keep cooperating with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The debarment may also be enforced by other international development banks under a mutual enforcement agreement signed in 2010.