Two years ago, Glencore agreed it was involved in several corruption cases related to oil contracts in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire. However, the Swiss company was still facing prosecution in Switzerland for corruption in the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
After a four-year investigation, Swiss authorities have decided to drop the corruption charges against Glencore. The Federal Prosecutor's Office settled with the company, requiring it to pay a fine of 2 million Swiss francs (about $2.34 million) and damages of $150 million.
In a statement dated August 5, 2024, the Swiss Federal Prosecutor wrote that Glencore was convicted of not taking "all reasonable and necessary organizational measures to prevent the bribery of foreign public officials." The alleged bribing happened in 2011–one of Glencore’s business partners had acquired minority stakes in two mining companies in the DRC.
"The MPC stated that it had not identified any Glencore employees with knowledge of the acts of corruption committed by the business partner," Glencore wrote in a separate statement. According to the statement, the firm does not agree with the prosecutor's findings but decided not to appeal to resolve the case.
It is worth noting that Glencore faced similar legal actions in the UK and the US in 2022 regarding corruption in oil contracts in Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. The firm currently operates two copper and cobalt mines in the DRC.
Firms move beyond payments toward integrated SME platforms Services include invoicing, inve...
The BCEAO now allows UEMOA citizens abroad to open CFA franc accounts under the same conditions as...
Novo Nordisk cuts Wegovy prices in South Africa amid competition Move targets rival Eli Lil...
ECOWAS, Energy China discuss regional power infrastructure cooperation Talks cover $36.3...
WAEMU posts 3.31 trillion CFA francs trade surplus in Q4 Exports surge 50.4%, led by gold, ...
ECOWAS and IMF sign cooperation framework to strengthen policy alignment West Africa’s growth remains solid but faces inflation and trade...
Resolute signs MoU with Nimba Mining Company to co-develop gold projects in Guinea. The company targets 500,000 ounces of annual gold production...
Montage Gold increases Koné’s measured and indicated resources to 5.88 million ounces. The company maintains first gold production in...
Senegal establishes a national chapter of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) to boost local rice competitiveness. Local production covers less...
The Bijagos Archipelago, located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, stands as one of West Africa’s most extraordinary island systems. Made up of around forty...
RFI confirmed the end of “Couleurs Tropicales” following Claudy Siar’s departure after 31 years. The move follows a series of high-profile exits...