Heineken relinquishes operational command over facilities in conflict-ridden eastern Congo
Heineken pulls out and hands over control of Congo breweries to armed groups
It's a tough blow for Heineken as they've issued a stark announcement: they've lost operational control of their facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the situation has escalated so drastically that armed personnel now control key sites in Bukavu and Goma.
Back in March, the brewery titan put their eastern Congo operations on hold due to volatile circumstances - their breweries were hit hard, and depots raided during skirmishes between the army and rebels. But things have taken a turn for the worse, and Heineken's clinging onto hope of a return to normalcy seems remote at best.
The company officially declared that the necessary conditions for responsible and safe operations had vanished, and on June 12, 2025, they dropped operational control of their eastern DRC facilities. That's not all; they've associatedly removed all remaining staff for safety reasons.
Rest assured, Heineken has assured the wellbeing of its employees, continuing to support them financially during these difficult times. Bralima, Heineken's Congo unit, still manages operations in regions untouched by the conflict.
Almost 14% of Heineken's overall revenue stems from its businesses in the Middle East and Africa. With Congo, home to a vast 100-million strong population, being a prime market, this crisis has dealt a significant blow to the company's earnings.
Bukavu, Goma, and Uvira were key players, accounting for roughly a third of Heineken's overall business in Congo. Unfortunately, the worsening conflict in eastern Congo, spearheaded by the M23 rebel group, has culminated in an aggressive advance, sparking fears of a larger-scale conflict.
Congo has accused Rwanda of fueling M23 through the dispatch of troops and weapons, while Rwanda has repeatedly denied offering any support. The countries, the US, and their technical teams signed a draft peace agreement earlier this week, with expectation of its signing next week.
Delve Deeper:
- Heineken has willingly handed over control of their breweries in the volatile eastern DRC to armed groups, effectively suspending operations in key cities like Bukavu and Goma[1][2][3].
- The situation in the DRC has deteriorated progressively, with damage to infrastructure, looting of depots, and theft of stock, equipment, and resources observed earlier in February 2025[3].
- Approximately one-third of Heineken’s business in the country derives from the conflict-stricken region, leading to a notable decline in sales volume and revenue[4][5].
- Efforts to restore operations continue, with Heineken offering financial support to affected facilities and staff[2]. This situation highlights the risks associated with investing in politically unstable regions[5].
This volatile situation poses an ongoing challenge for Heineken in the DRC, despite its attempts to provide support and maintain a presence in the region.
The volatile political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has extended to Heineken's industry, with armed groups taking control of key breweries in Bukavu and Goma, significantly impacting their finance. This unfortunate turn of events in politics underscores the risks associated with investing in politically unstable regions, as evidenced by the general news of the M23 rebel group's aggression.
