Dutch brewing company Heineken is set to open a new brewery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a move to expand its presence in Africa.
The proposed brewery will be opened in July this year, with a capacity to brew 1.5 million hectoliters of beer annually.
It will initially produce local brands such as Bedele and Harar, with plans to produce the company's premium lager beer in the next coming years.
Heineken Africa and the Middle East Operations president Siep Hiemstra was quoted by online.wsj.com as saying that the company could not cater to Addis Ababa from its existing two breweries in the region.
"So this will strengthen our position in the country," added Hiemstra.
The company is aimed at increasing its business in Africa at present, with new acquisitions and joint ventures, which includes the establishment of new breweries.
Heineken is also planning to source 60% of the raw materials such as barley and cassava that are used to produce beer, locally, by 2020.
