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The money is the City's part of a payment of £11million made by Macmillan Publishers, following an investigation into allegations that the company won contracts in Africa through unlawful conduct.
The investigation related to contracts won in Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia, where the World Bank was funding educational materials.
The investigation was prompted after the World Bank contacted City of London Police's s specialist overseas anti-corruption unit (OACU). Officers executed search warrants , which prompted the company to volunteer an internal review in conjunction with the SFO.
As well as making the payment, Macmillan Publishers agreed to a review by the SFO in a year's time. The company has also withdrawn from all of its education division contracts in East and West Africa.
Commissioner Adrian Leppard said: "Today's court order sends out a strong message to UK business that it's time to drive the risk of bribery and corruption out of their tendering processes wherever they are doing business. The reputation of UK plc depends on it and we will continue to work closely with the SFO to deal with such cases in the most appropriate manner."
Det Supt John Folan oversees the OACU. He said: "By combining the skill sets of the City of London Police and the SFO to best effect, the UK has an effective and efficient practical foil to any alleged instances of ongoing individual or corporate bribery, suitably reflected in this recent disposal".
