HEINEKEN will retain ownership of its global and regional brands and will continue to be present in the DRC through long-term trademark licensing agreements HEINEKEN announces that it has sold…

HEINEKEN will retain ownership of its global and regional brands and will continue to be present in the DRC through long-term trademark licensing agreements

HEINEKEN announces that it has sold its shareholding in Brasseries, Limonaderies et Malteries S.A. (Bralima), its operating company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to ELNA Holdings Ltd.

The new owner will assume full responsibility for Bralima’s operations, including production, distribution, employees and engagement with local stakeholders. The transaction enables continuity of the business, supports local employment and ensures the long-term availability of HEINEKEN’s brands in the DRC.

HEINEKEN will retain ownership of its global and regional brands and will continue to be present in the DRC through long-term trademark licensing agreements. These agreements will ensure the continued brewing, marketing and distribution of HEINEKEN’s brands in the market, including Heineken, Primus, Turbo King, Legend and Mützig, which remain central to the DRC beer market.

This transaction is in line with HEINEKEN’s EverGreen 2030 strategy, including active portfolio management and ongoing optimisation of its operating footprint across global markets, as well as its continued progression towards a more asset-light operating model in selected markets.

ELNA Holdings Ltd, a Mauritius-based company, has extensive experience operating in the DRC and across Africa, with strong capabilities in the industrial and logistics sectors. It is well-positioned to support Bralima’s continued development under local ownership.

Bralima, founded in 1923, operates three breweries in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Lubumbashi and employs approximately 731 people. The business will continue to operate from these sites following completion of the transaction.

Commenting on the announcement, Guillaume Duverdier, President, Africa Middle East Region for HEINEKEN NV, said:

“Bralima has a long and proud history in the Democratic Republic of Congo, built on the strength of its people and a portfolio of leading brands. This step allows the business to continue under a locally anchored model, while ensuring that our brands remain available to consumers across the country. It also reflects our move towards a more asset-light approach in selected markets. I would like to recognise the commitment and resilience of the teams involved and all colleagues in the DRC, not only during the recent period but throughout our proud history in the country.”