Finance
Heineken Ends Decades-Long Presence in Congo With Brewery Stake Sale
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 10, 2026
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Heineken has exited its remaining stake in Bralima, its long-standing DRC brewing subsidiary, by selling to Mauritius-based ELNA Holdings. It will continue earning via licensing its brands under an asset-light model.
Heineken Sells Congo Brewery Stake to ELNA Holdings, Ending Long-Term Operation
Heineken's Exit from the Democratic Republic of Congo
DAKAR, April 10 (Reuters) - Heineken has sold its stake in Bralima, its brewing subsidiary in Democratic Republic of Congo, ending decades of direct ownership in a market where conflict had severely disrupted its business.
Details of the Sale
The Dutch brewer said on Friday it had sold its shareholding in Brasseries, Limonaderies et Malteries (Bralima) to Mauritius-based ELNA Holdings Ltd, which will take over operations, including production, distribution and employees. Financial details were not disclosed.
Bralima's Historical Background
Bralima was founded in 1923 by Belgian investors and had been majority-owned by Heineken since 1986.
Heineken's Brand Strategy Post-Sale
Heineken will retain ownership of its brands and earn revenue through long-term trademark licensing agreements covering Heineken, Primus, Turbo King, Legend and Mutzig.
Statement from Heineken Leadership
"This step allows the business to continue under a locally anchored model," Guillaume Duverdier, president of Heineken's Africa Middle East region, said in a statement. "It also reflects our move towards a more asset-light approach in selected markets."
Challenges Leading to the Sale
The sale follows a turbulent period for Heineken in Congo. In February 2025, Bralima's brewery and depots in the eastern city of Bukavu were extensively looted after Congolese security forces withdrew amid an advance by AFC/M23 rebels.
Loss of Operational Control
In June, Heineken said armed personnel had seized its facilities in Bukavu and Goma and it had lost operational control.
Previous Divestments
In November, Heineken transferred its Bukavu brewery to a separate Mauritius-based buyer for 1 euro, retaining a three-year buyback option should conditions stabilise.
Scope of the Current Deal
Friday’s deal covers the remaining operations — three breweries in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Lubumbashi employing approximately 731 people — in areas not directly affected by the eastern conflict.
(Reporting and writing by Clement Bonnerot; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Jane Merriman)
Key Takeaways
- •Heineken ends over 40 years of direct ownership in DRC’s Bralima, selling to ELNA Holdings while retaining brand rights through licensing deals (en.wikipedia.org)
- •The move reflects Heineken’s strategy shift toward a more asset‑light footprint amid severe disruption, including looting and rebel seizures in eastern Congo in 2025 (en.wikipedia.org)
- •Bralima, founded in 1923 and majority‑owned by Heineken since 1986, operated multiple breweries; the sale marks a major change in DRC brewing landscape (en.wikipedia.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Heineken ends decades-long presence in Congo with brewery stake sale
1Why did Heineken sell its stake in Bralima?
Heineken sold its Bralima stake due to disruptions from conflict in Congo and to adopt a more asset-light strategy in selected markets.
2Who purchased Heineken's share in Bralima?
Mauritius-based ELNA Holdings Ltd purchased Heineken's share in Bralima.
3Will Heineken continue to earn revenue from Congo after the sale?
Yes, Heineken will retain ownership of its brands and earn revenue through long-term trademark licensing agreements.
4What happened to Bralima's operations in Bukavu and Goma?
Heineken lost control of its Bukavu and Goma facilities after they were seized and transferred the Bukavu brewery to another buyer for 1 euro.
5How many employees are affected by the sale?
Approximately 731 employees across breweries in Kinshasa, Kisangani, and Lubumbashi are included in the deal.
