Heineken has evacuated its personnel and relinquished control of its operations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to escalating rebel activity, the Dutch brewing company announced on Friday, according to CNN.
The company had already suspended activities in three eastern cities back in March after clashes between rebels and government forces led to attacks on its breweries and depots. However, the situation has since deteriorated.
Armed groups have now seized Heineken’s facilities in Bukavu and Goma—two major cities in eastern DRC—as well as nearby areas. “As of June 12, 2025, we have lost operational control. The conditions required to operate safely and responsibly no longer exist,” the company said in a statement.
Despite the turmoil, Heineken’s local subsidiary, Bralima, is still operating in regions unaffected by the conflict, with the company stating it is “closely monitoring developments.”
Heineken owns four breweries across the DRC, producing its flagship beer along with local favorites like Primus. The Bukavu site alone provided direct and indirect employment to around 1,000 people before the disruption.
“Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of our employees,” the company emphasized, adding that it has fully withdrawn staff from affected sites and continues to support them financially.
The DRC is a key market for Heineken, with nearly 14% of the company’s total global revenue stemming from its Middle East and Africa operations. Before the recent suspension, activities in Bukavu, Goma, and Uvira accounted for about a third of Heineken’s business in the country.
Meanwhile, PUNCH reported earlier in the week that Congo, Rwanda, and the United States have reached a preliminary peace agreement, expected to be formally signed soon.
Violence in eastern Congo has intensified in 2025, with the M23 rebel group capturing swathes of territory. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and weapons—claims that Kigali has repeatedly denied.
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