Heineken has opened its first brewery in the district of Maputo, Mozambique.

The new $100m brewery incorporates the latest technologies and will have a capacity to produce 0.8 million hectolitres.

Heineken Mozambique recently started brewing Txilar, a brand new beer that is specially made for Mozambican consumers.

The beer contains locally grown maize from the district of Catandica, which is situated in the central province of Manica.

Furthermore, Heineken Mozambique will continue to offer international brands including Heineken, Amstel, Sagres and Strongbow.

“The construction of Heineken’s first brewery is a major step for the company’s presence in the country.”

Heineken executive board chairman and CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer said: “We believe in Mozambique. The population is young and vibrant, the middle-class is growing and living increasingly in cities, the economic perspectives are encouraging and the beer market has a great potential to grow.

“The construction of Heineken’s first brewery is a major step for the company’s presence in the country.”

Beer consumption in Mozambique is currently at 10.5l per capita.

Through the latest investment, Heineken Mozambique already employs 200 people and will also support indirect jobs through its entire value chain.

Heineken announced plans for the brewery in December 2017.

The company noted that construction of the new brewery is in line with its objective of sourcing 60% of its agricultural raw materials in Africa by 2020.

In late 2016, Heineken started its activities in Mozambique through a sales and marketing office, importing its international brands.

Heineken has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and speciality beers and ciders.