Heineken Confirms Exit From DRC After Four Decades

April 10, 2026 - Dutch brewing company Heineken N.V. has announced its complete withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo after nearly 40 years of operations, following the sale of its shares in Bralima. In a statement released on April 10, the company confirmed that its stake in Bralima had been sold to ELNA Holdings Ltd, marking the end of its long-standing majority ownership that began in 1986. Bralima, originally founded in 1923 by Belgian investors, has long been one of the leading beverage producers in the country, supplying major urban centers including Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani, and Lubumbashi. Heineken said the decision follows a period of heightened insecurity in parts of eastern DRC, where operations had already been temporarily suspended due to clashes between government forces and the AFC/M23 armed coalition. The company had previously transferred management of its eastern operations to a Mauritius-based entity to protect staff and ensure continuity of supply. The brewer indicated that while it will fully exit the country’s market structure, operations in more stable regions of the DRC had continued until the final divestment process. It added that a return to eastern provinces could remain possible if security conditions improve in the future. The departure of Heineken marks a significant shift in the DRC’s business landscape, reflecting growing concerns among multinational companies operating in conflict-affected areas.

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April 10, 2026 - Dutch brewing company Heineken N.V. has announced its complete withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo after nearly 40 years of operations, following the sale of its shares in Bralima. In a statement released on April 10, the company confirmed that its stake in Bralima had been sold to ELNA Holdings Ltd, marking the end of its long-standing majority ownership that began in 1986. Bralima, originally founded in 1923 by Belgian investors, has long been one of the leading beverage producers in the country, supplying major urban centers including Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani, and Lubumbashi. Heineken said the decision follows a period of heightened insecurity in parts of eastern DRC, where operations had already been temporarily suspended due to clashes between government forces and the AFC/M23 armed coalition. The company had previously transferred management of its eastern operations to a Mauritius-based entity to protect staff and ensure continuity of supply. The brewer indicated that while it will fully exit the country’s market structure, operations in more stable regions of the DRC had continued until the final divestment process. It added that a return to eastern provinces could remain possible if security conditions improve in the future. The departure of Heineken marks a significant shift in the DRC’s business landscape, reflecting growing concerns among multinational companies operating in conflict-affected areas.