Heineken has suspended its operations in Goma and Bukavu, two major cities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following increased unrest and extensive looting. The decision impacts its local subsidiary, Bralima, which has been forced to shutter operations in these locations due to security concerns.
The crisis escalated after the withdrawal of the Congolese military and police on February 15, 2025, which led to the occupation of territory by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. This power shift resulted in a breakdown of law and order, triggering widespread looting by civilians. Bralima’s brewery and depots in Bukavu suffered severe losses, with the company stating that assessing the full extent of the damage will take time.
In response, Bralima had already ceased operations in the affected cities before the fighting reached them. "Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and their families," the company emphasized, highlighting efforts to provide resources for employees to shelter at home with regular safety check-ins.
Despite the setbacks, Bralima continues operations in other parts of the DRC, including its breweries in Kinshasa, Boma, Mbandaka, and Kisangani. However, the disruption in the east underscores the increasing challenges facing Heineken in Africa.
In 2024, Heineken's Africa and Middle East business unit recorded a 2.3% revenue decline, falling to USD 4.3 billion, while sales volumes dropped from 34.8 million hectoliters in 2023 to 29.5 million hectoliters in 2024. The company has attributed this decline to inflation, currency depreciation in key markets such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt, and overall economic instability. Additionally, social unrest has affected operations in multiple countries, including Kenya and Mozambique.
Despite these difficulties, Heineken has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the region while closely monitoring the security situation in the DRC.
