Heineken has confirmed the loss of operational control of its facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following escalating violence and the seizure of its sites by armed groups.
The Dutch brewer announced on Friday that it has pulled out all remaining staff from the region, citing an increasingly volatile security situation that has made operations impossible.
The company initially suspended operations in February after violence erupted between government forces and rebel groups, causing severe damage to infrastructure.
Breweries and depots in three cities were vandalized, looted, and stripped of equipment, stock, and raw materials.
“Significant damage” was reported in a brewery control room, and the company said, “Assessing the full extent of the damage will take time.” A depot located 120km south in Uvira was also targeted.
Heineken reported that it had been looted by “military and militia groups,” but emphasized, “We are greatly relieved that no Bralima colleagues or their families were harmed.”
Heineken, which operates four breweries in the DRC under its local subsidiary Bralima, produces popular brands such as Heineken, Primus, and Amstel.
At the time of the February attacks, the company stated it would keep the affected sites shut until conditions stabilized. But the situation has deteriorated further.
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In an updated statement, Heineken said that as of June 12, 2025, it has lost control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma, two of eastern Congo’s largest cities, as well as surrounding areas.
According to Reuters, armed groups now dominate these locations. “The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present, and as of June 12, 2025, we have lost operational control,” the company said.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees. We have withdrawn all remaining staff from these sites and have continued to support them financially,” Heineken added.
While Bralima continues to function in other parts of the DRC unaffected by the violence, the loss of its eastern operations represents a major setback.
Before the recent escalation, the sites in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira accounted for roughly one-third of Heineken’s business in the country.
The turmoil in eastern DRC compounds broader challenges Heineken is facing across the African continent.
Social unrest and political instability have also disrupted business in key markets like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique.
In 2024, the company reported €4.13 billion ($4.3 billion) in revenue from Africa and the Middle East, a 2.3% drop compared to 2023.
Beer sales in the region fell to 29.5 million hectolitres, down sharply from 34.8 million the previous year. The ongoing conflict in the DRC threatens to deepen these losses.
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