Heineken, CFAO enter venture to brew beer in Ivory Coast

On Friday, Heineken and CFAO announced the formation of a joint business venture in Ivory Coast under the name of Brassivoire to produce and market beer in the country.

Heineken and CFAO are also laying the foundation for their new beer production site today in the presence of Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Finances and Budget Daniel Kablan Duncan; Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, Minister of Industry and Mines; and other members of the Ivory government.

"We are delighted to be entering this very promising and dynamic new market of Ivory Coast with our partner CFAO," Roland Pirmez, Heineken International president for the Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe region, said. "The project is advancing rapidly thanks to proactive collaboration with the Ivorian authorities. Heineken aims to be a partner for growth in Africa.”

The two partners will invest around $168 million, and the brewery will have a capacity of 1.6 million hectolitres per year. The site will brew Heineken and other brands for the domestic market.

The first bottle of beer is expected to come off the production line at the beginning of 2017.