Heineken plans to build its first brewery in Mozambique with an investment of $100m.

Located in the Maputo province between the Marracuene and Manhiça districts, the new brewery will have a production capacity of 0.8 million hectoliters of beer.

Heineken anticipates that the brewery will begin production by the first half of next year, creating 200 direct jobs.

Heineken International East and West Africa managing director said: “We are delighted to enter Mozambique, where we see promising long-term economic perspectives.

“Heineken anticipates that the brewery will begin production by the first half of next year, creating 200 direct jobs.”

“The project is progressing well thanks to the support of the Mozambican Government and its commitment to bring investments into the country.

“Investing in a new market like Mozambique supports HEINEKEN’s ambition to expand its footprint and be the number one or a strong number two in all markets in which it operates.

“With our extensive experience and existing business in Africa, we also aim to be a partner for growth today in Mozambique as we already are throughout the continent. I am convinced our presence will contribute to the economic and social development that is already underway in Mozambique.”

The construction of the new brewery is reported to be in line with the Heineken objective of sourcing 60% of its agricultural raw materials in Africa by 2020.

As part of the initiative, Heineken Mozambique will explore the possibility of locally sourcing the raw materials it will need to produce its beers.

Heineken Mozambique began its operations in 2016 by establishing sales and marketing office in the region, which imported international beers such as Heineken, Amstel, Amstel Lite and Sagres in the country.