Congo joins list of African countries where Heineken is brewed locally, shift expected to lower prices 

CONGO – Heineken, the world’s most valuable beer brand according to Brand Finance, will be available in Congo in locally returnable bottles, Brasco, the local subsidiary of the Dutch multinational brewer has confirmed.  

Brasco is said to have invested a total of 2.2 billion FCFA (US$3.49 million) in making the transition to more environmentally friendly returnable beer bottles. 

The investment was mainly channeled into state-of-the-art brewing and bottling equipment and the training of more than 50 employees in the best brewing techniques. 

 BRASCO noted that the transition will enable it to offer a downward revision of the selling price to consumers as returnable bottles reduce its production and import costs. 

The brewer also noted that the transition demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability through the use of reusable bottles.  

According to a study by Zero Waste Europe and Reloop, in partnership with the University of Utrecht Reusable glass bottles produce 85% fewer carbon emissions than a single-use glass bottle. 

The study further indicated that reusable glass also had 75% fewer carbon emissions than plastic (PET), and 57% fewer carbon emissions than aluminum cans. 

With this launch, the Republic of Congo also joins the list of African countries in which the Heineken brand is brewed locally. 

Other countries where Heineken is brewed on the continent include Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia, Rwanda. 

 François Gazania, Managing Director of BRASCO, declared: “The launch of production in Congo of this beer appreciated around the world is a crucial step in our commitment to the economic, social and environmental development of the country.  

BRASCO is pleased to make this globally recognized quality brand available to our consumers. We will remain true to our commitment to the quality and excellence that our brand is known for.” 

Born from the merger of two international groups in 1994 (HEINEKEN and CFAO), Brasco is one of the leading brewing companies in the Republic of Congo. 

The brewer has four sites across the country, two breweries in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, and two production centers in Dolisie and Oyo from where it makes its products available to more than 30,000 points of sale throughout the country. 

It is also a major employer in the country as it employs nearly 800 people and 500 subcontractors spread across all of the company’s sites.