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CHAPTER 6
Construction Sector Corruption
in Ethiopia
Hamish Goldie-Scot
Introduction
Corruption in the construction and public works sector—consistently
ranked worldwide as one of the most corrupt—can be attributed to a
combination of high spending and the ease with which many corrupt
practices can be hidden. Any capacity constraints, lack of transparency, or
lack of accountability systems tend to accentuate the risk, both by
This report was commissioned by the World Bank as a part of an ongoing study of corruption
in several sectors in Ethiopia. Thanks are due to all those contributors and participants
from government, the private sector, civil society, and the donor community who made the
work possible. The anonymity of these respondents has served to encourage the frank sharing
of information and ideas that underpins the ongoing process of assessment and reform.
Vision, dedication, and practical support were needed to ensure that the construction sector
study could be conducted in an effective and independent manner. Special thanks are due
to Janelle Plummer, who initiated and supported the work, and to H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman,
Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, who helped ensure
access to government respondents.
Although this chapter results from studies completed by January 2010, the process of checking,
reviewing, and securing agreement for publication was finally brought to conclusion
only in late 2011. The chapter is therefore put forward with the caveat that while it reflects
the situation at the time of the study, some details will have understandably changed.
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