Celebrating 150 years of brewing tradition, Heineken isn’t just looking back on its own legacy, but also raising a glass to the African communities it serves. From environmental sustainability initiatives to social development programs, the brewer is committed to creating a positive impact across the continent.
Here are 12 remarkable ways Heineken is rewarding African communities with good times:
Environmental Champion:
- Water conservation: Heineken is committed to water stewardship, implementing strategies like wastewater treatment, and partnerships with WaterAid and World Vision to improve access to clean water for thousands in Rwanda, DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, which brought the company closer to the 2023 goal to treat 100% of its wastewater.
In Rwanda for example, Heineken practises water balancing every year by planting 20,000 trees in Rubavu and Kigali and reinforcing water efficiency through the use of recovered water.
- Renewable energy: From solar power to hydroelectricity, Heineken is transitioning to greener sources of energy, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting sustainable practices in countries like Nigeria and Rwanda.
In Nigeria, Heineken is supplying renewable electricity to two sites through an off-site PPA which supplies electricity generated by a hydro-power project.
- Responsible waste management: Landfills are becoming a thing of the past for Heineken, with initiatives like recycling and upcycling waste into building materials in countries like Nigeria, DRC and Rwanda.
In DRC and Nigeria, Heineken established new wastewater plants, which brought the company closer to the 2023 goal to treat 100% of its wastewater.
Empowering People:
- Diversity and inclusion: Heineken is championing diversity within its workforce, promoting gender equality and leadership opportunities for all in countries like Nigeria, DRC and Rwanda.
In Ethiopia, 100% of managers in Heineken Ethiopia are trained in inclusive leadership and in Nigeria, Heineken is the only publicly traded company with the highest number of female board members.
- Supporting farmers: By sourcing barley and maize locally, Heineken empowers farmers and strengthens agricultural communities in countries like Ethiopia, Mozambique and Rwanda.
In Ethiopia, Heineken is running its Community Revenue Enhancement through Agricultural Technology Extension project (CREATE) established in 2013. Through this project, Heineken Ethiopia works with 80,000 farmers within the value chain. In Nigeria, Heineken works with 76 outsourced service providers who employ 10,000 people over the last three years. - Investing in youth: From skills development programs to entrepreneurship initiatives, Heineken is helping young people build brighter futures in countries like Ethiopia, Mozambique and Nigeria.
Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges in Ethiopia, hence, Heineken launched its youth empowerment project executed in Addis Ababa, Harare and Bedele to provide youth, mainly women skills that will enable them to change their lives.
In Nigeria, Heineken has empowered 472 youths and women with skills acquisition across 6 locations in Nigeria – lagos, abuja, ota (Ogun), kaduna, ama (enugu) and awo-omamma.
Building Stronger Communities:
- Responsible drinking: Heineken promotes responsible alcohol consumption through awareness campaigns and educational programs across all its operations in Africa.
In Rwanda, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ethiopia, Heineken partners with the Government and other partners to raise awareness amongst thousands of youth about the importance of responsible alcohol consumption. - Community development: From rebuilding slum homes to supporting flood victims, Heineken actively participates in community development projects that improve lives in countries like Ethiopia and Mozambique.
In Ethiopia, 68% of the population in Addis Ababa lives in slum areas Heineken Ethiopia has been executing its Derash Shelter project that rebuilds slum homes for the past 4 years. Throughout the 4 phases of the project, Heineken was able to construct 150 homes, with close to 750 beneficiaries. In Nigeria, Heineken has worked with 76 outsourced service providers who employ 10,000 people over the last three years.
- Entrepreneurship: Initiatives like Orange Corners in Mozambique provide support and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering economic growth and innovation.
Brand Innovation:
- Local production: Heineken is investing in local production facilities, bringing iconic brands like Heineken closer to African consumers across all its operations on the continent.
A recent IFC report highlights some of the impacts achieved by our long-term barley development programme in Ethiopia. Their analysis identified that 180,000 farmers are engaged in malt barley production and that another 137,000 full-time jobs have been created in aggregation, transport, processing and marketing. They also estimate that the sector contributed close to ETB 18 billion in tax revenue in 2021 and saved around USD 800 million via import substitution.
Through Heineken’s barley sector development programme in Ethiopia, Heineken has increased local sourcing from less than 5% in 2018 to more than 70% in 2022.
In Nigeria, several sites are now landfill-free through actions such as substantially reducing the mixed waste stream and recycling waste labels into ceiling tiles, wall slabs, door inserts and other building materials.
- Cater to new preferences: Recognizing changing tastes, Heineken has introduced new brands like Zagg Energy Malt in Nigeria, catering to evolving preferences.
- Award-winning excellence: Heineken’s commitment to quality is reflected in its award-winning brands and industry recognition across the continent.
In Rwanda, Heineken has won the Best Taxpayers of the Year award as well as a Certificate of recognition for having stood out as an Elite Employer, for its excellent Employee Value Proposition, in the areas of Compensation and Benefits, Career, Work Environment and Culture in 2022 and 2023 in Mozambique and Brewer of the year in Nigeria.
These are just a few examples of how Heineken is rewarding African communities with good times. As the brewer celebrates its 150th anniversary, its commitment to creating shared prosperity and a sustainable future for Africa remains stronger than ever.