IFC pledges progress in Bridge case, but transparency debates endure

Two years after allegations of child sexual abuse at Bridge International Academies schools in Kenya exposed serious gaps in the International Finance Corporation’s oversight of a company it helped fund, the institution is still working to deliver on promised reforms and support for survivors.

But civil society groups say two questions remain: Why haven’t survivors been directly compensated? And why does IFC — the private sector arm of the World Bank Group — refuse to release the full findings of an independent review into its handling of the case?

Civil society groups led by Accountability Counsel, a San Francisco-based advocacy nonprofit focused on supporting communities harmed by internationally financed projects, have repeatedly requested access, including through IFC’s Access to Information mechanism. But their appeals have been denied, with the Board citing attorney-client privilege and confidentiality concerns. The NGOs are now preparing another appeal.

“The Freshfields investigation was commissioned to restore trust and confidence in the governance of the IFC, following allegations of a sexual abuse coverup. A secret report cannot do that. A secret report begs the question: what are they still trying to hide?” Lani Inverarity, director of programs and strategy at Accountability Counsel, told Devex.

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