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.
Telecel Ghana to boost network investment by 150% in 2026 Expansion targets capacity, reliabi...
Togo parliament adopts WAEMU law against currency counterfeiting Bill defines offences including ...
Namibia and Russia agreed to expand cooperation across energy, mining, and agriculture. Both coun...
Cameroon signs MoUs for $1.5 billion waste-to-energy projects Plans target waste treat...
CCR-UEMOA presents mid-term review of private sector competitiveness efforts Reforms, AfCFTA trai...
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola will hold their third bilateral economic forum from March 31 to April 3 in Kinshasa. The forum will focus...
Burkina Faso ratified a $80.3 million loan from the African Development Bank to modernize transport infrastructure. The project targets road...
The European Union launched PanAfGeo+ Invest to promote EU investments in critical minerals across Africa. The program targets Democratic Republic of...
Tshisekedi orders Grand Inga agreements finalized within 60 days Government to adopt legal framework to unlock World Bank support Inga 3...
Kumbi Saleh is regarded as one of the earliest major political and commercial capitals of West Africa. Located in present-day Mauritania, near the border...
Event highlights growing role of diaspora entrepreneurs across multiple sectors Networks support trade, investment and SME...