Heineken : acquires additional brewery capacity in Nigeria

Amsterdam, 12 January 2011 - Heineken N.V. today announced that it has strengthened its platform for growth in Nigeria via the acquisition of two holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria.

The acquisition provides Heineken with an additional technical capacity of 3.7 million hectolitres, helping to alleviate the company's current capacity constraints in the market and improving the geographic location of its breweries. This will enable Heineken to take advantage of the attractive future growth opportunities that exist in different regions of the country. The acquisition has been funded from existing resources. The transaction price has not been disclosed.

Heineken will explore the possibility of consolidating the newly acquired breweries into its existing business structure in Nigeria during 2011. Discussions with Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries will begin now the transaction has been finalised. The acquired breweries will continue to provide and expand contract brewing services to Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries for the meantime, while continuing to own, brew and support the Goldberg, Williams Dark Ale and Malta Gold brands as well as various smaller regional brands.

Commenting on today's announcement, Tom de Man, President Africa & Middle East of Heineken, said: 'This important move reflects Heineken's strategy of increasing our exposure to and growth from developing markets. Nigeria is one of the world's most exciting beer markets and one of the most important countries for Heineken. This acquisition underlines our ongoing commitment to the country and will significantly strengthen our platform for future growth.'

The Nigerian beer market (est. 16.5 million hectolitres in 2009) is the second largest in Africa and has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 9% over the past 10 years ending 2009. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa with over 150 million people. Beer and non-alcoholic malt consumption was approximately 11 litres per annum in 2009, well below the global average of 27 litres.

Through this investment, Heineken will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities for the domestic work force in Nigeria. Both Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries have invested heavily in Nigeria in recent years and remain committed to further development of the local beer market.

Heineken has deep roots in Africa dating back to 1900 when it first started to export beer into West Africa. Its first brewery was opened in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1923. Heineken's geographic footprint now stretches across 15 countries on the continent with 37 breweries.

Press enquiries
John G. Clarke
Tel: +31 (0)20 5239 355
john.g.clarke@heineken.com

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Jan van de Merbel
Tel: +31 (0)20 5239 590
investors@heineken.com

Editorial information:
Heineken is one of the world's great brewers and is committed to growth and remaining independent. The brand that bears the founder's family name - Heineken - is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world's most valuable international premium beer brand. The Company's aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world's most valuable brand portfolio. The Company operates 140 breweries in more than 70 countries and sold 165.7 million hectolitres of beer on a 2009 pro-forma basis. Heineken is Europe's largest brewer and the world's third largest by volume. Heineken is committed to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 200 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Dos Equis, Foster's, Kingfisher, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Strongbow, Tecate, Tiger and Zywiec. On a 2009 pro-forma basis, including FEMSA Cerveza, revenue totaled €16.9 billion and EBIT (beia) was €2.3 billion.
The average number of people employed is more than 75,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. Most recent information is available on Heineken's home page: http://www.heinekeninternational.com.