Heineken Ends Decades-Long Presence in Congo With Brewery Stake Sale
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Heineken has sold its stake in Bralima, its brewing subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending decades of direct ownership in a market where conflict had severely disrupted its business. The Dutch brewer said on Friday it sold its shareholding to Mauritius-based ELNA Holdings Ltd, which will take over operations, including production, distribution and employees.
The company did not disclose financial terms. Bralima, founded in 1923 by Belgian investors, has been majority-owned by Heineken since 1986, making the sale a major strategic exit from one of its longest-held African assets.
Heineken will keep ownership of its brands and earn revenue through long-term trademark licensing agreements covering Heineken, Primus, Turbo King, Legend and Mutzig. The brewer said the move lets the business continue under a locally anchored model and reflects its shift toward a more asset-light approach in selected markets.
The sale follows a turbulent period in Congo. In February 2025, Bralima’s brewery and depots in Bukavu were looted after security forces withdrew during an advance by AFC/M23 rebels, and in June Heineken said armed personnel had seized its facilities in Bukavu and Goma, leaving it without operational control.
In November, Heineken transferred its Bukavu brewery to another Mauritius-based buyer for 1 euro, with a three-year buyback option if conditions stabilised. Friday’s deal covers the remaining breweries in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Lubumbashi, which employ about 731 people and are located outside the conflict-hit east.
