WASHINGTON, February 18, 2026-The World Bank Group today announced the 15-month debarment of Ecuador-based Consultoria Técnica Cia. Ltda. CONTEC ("CONTEC"), a civil engineering consultancy, in connection with fraudulent practices occurring under the Guayaquil Wastewater Management Project in Ecuador.
The debarment makes CONTEC ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group. It is part of a settlement agreement under which the company admits culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices and agrees to meet specified integrity compliance conditions as a condition for release from debarment.
The project sought to increase access to improved sanitation services and to reduce wastewater pollution in selected areas of the City of Guayaquil, Ecuador. According to the facts of the case, CONTEC failed to disclose a conflict of interest when executing one project-financed civil engineering consulting contract, and when bidding for two others. These were fraudulent practices under the World Bank's Anti-Corruption Framework.
The settlement agreement provides for a reduced period of debarment in light of the company's cooperation and voluntary remedial actions. As a condition for release from sanction, under the terms of the settlement agreement, the company commits to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines. The company also commits to continue to fully cooperate with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency.
CONTEC's debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks ("MDBs") under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.
