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Heineken has confirmed it has lost operational control of its facilities in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as worsening conflict in the region forces the company to withdraw all remaining staff.

In a statement issued on Friday 20 June, the brewer said armed personnel have taken control of its sites in Bukavu, Goma and surrounding areas. “The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present and as of 12 June 2025, we have lost operational control,” the company said.

Heineken’s local subsidiary, Bralima, had previously suspended operations in the region following a sharp deterioration in security earlier this year. The company says its priority remains the safety and wellbeing of its employees, who continue to receive financial support despite the shutdown.

Operations continue in other parts of the country that have not been impacted by the conflict.

Heineken first raised concerns in February, when violence in Eastern DRC led to the withdrawal of Congolese police and military forces from key urban centres. On 15 February, widespread looting took place in Bukavu, with Bralima’s brewery and depots among the targets. Significant volumes of stock, raw materials and spare parts were stolen, and the brewery’s control room sustained major damage.

Further looting took place on 20 February at Bralima’s depot in Uvira, this time carried out by military and militia groups. No employees or their families were harmed during the incidents.

Bralima – one of the oldest and largest beverage companies in the DRC – continues to operate in regions unaffected by the conflict, including Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.

Heineken said it is continuing to monitor the situation closely and is assessing options as events unfold.