Heineken has sold its shareholding in Brasseries, Limonaderies et Malteries (Bralima), its operating company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Elna Holdings.

Elna, a Mauritius-based company that operates in the DRC and across Africa, will assume full responsibility for Bralima’s operations. This includes production, distribution, employees and engagement with local stakeholders.

Bralima was founded in 1923 and operates three breweries in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Lubumbashi. The brewery and soft drinks business employs approximately 731 people and will continue to operate from its existing sites following completion of the transaction.

Heineken will retain ownership of its global and regional brands, and will continue its presence in the DRC through long-term trademark licensing agreements. These will ensure continued brewing, marketing and distribution of the Dutch brewer’s brands in the market, including Heineken, Primus, Turbo King, Legend and Mützig.

In a statement shared today (10 April 2026), Heineken said the deal enables continuity of the business, supports local employment and ensures the long-term availability of its brand portfolio in the DRC. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The company lost operational control of its facilities in Eastern DRC last summer, as escalating conflict in the region forced the brewer to withdraw all its remaining staff. In June, Heineken revealed that armed personnel had taken control of its sites in Bukavu, Goma and surrounding areas.

This followed Bralima’s temporary suspension of operations earlier in 2025 due to deterioration of security, with the company’s Bukavu brewery and depots sustaining major damage due to looting in February.

Later in 2025, Heineken transferred its Bukavu brewery to a separate Mauritius-based company, Synergy Ventures, for €1. In a statement in November, the company said the deal aimed to safeguard jobs and livelihoods, maintain vital community services and prevent misuse of the site in a volatile security environment.

Speaking about today’s update, Guillaume Duverdier, president of Africa Middle East Region for Heineken, said: “Bralima has a long and proud history in the Democratic Republic of Congo, built on the strength of its people and a portfolio of leading brands. This step allows the business to continue under a locally anchored model, while ensuring that our brands remain available to consumers across the country.”

He added that the deal also reflects Heineken’s shift toward a more asset-light approach in selected markets.

“I would like to recognise the commitment and resilience of the teams involved and all colleagues in the DRC, not only during the recent period but throughout our proud history in the country,” Duverdier commented.