ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A Heineken official says the Netherlands-based company has signed a deal to buy two state-owned Ethiopian breweries.
Tom de Man, Heineken president for Africa and the Middle East, said Thursday it had signed a $163 million deal for the purchase of Harar Brewery S.C. and Bedele Brewery S.C.
He said Heineken wants to expand the breweries and introduce other products, including non-alcoholic beverages in Ethiopia. The world's third-largest brewer will also start producing Heineken locally.
Beyene Gebre Meskel, director of Ethiopia's privatization agency, said he expects Heineken to help develop the largely state-owned local brewing industry and boost agricultural output.
Heineken is present in 20 African countries and says it exports to all other countries on the continent.