In April this year, the world’s second biggest brewer, SABMiller, would be erecting the 260 000 hectolitre brewery in Namibia, it has emerged.

I-Net Bridge reported that the company recently received approval for the re-zoning of 7.2ha of land in Okahandja after some delays.

Okahandja is the location where the plant will be constructed. According to I-Net Bridge, land transfer was expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

The plant should be in operation in 18 months. SABMiller has also arranged an estimated N$360 million investment in a 750ml returnable bottle packaging line and warehousing facilities.

SAB managing director, Mauricio Leyva, told I-Net Bridge, the plan had touched a vital breakthrough.

“We are most pleased that we are now going to be moving ahead with the construction of the brewery,” he was quoted as having said.

“The local brewery will not only enable us to make more of our key brands available to consumers in the Namibian market‚ but it will also make a meaningful contribution to the Namibian economy once it is up and running.”

Employment will be generated. The firm’s environmental impact study on the countryside will be lessened as the company moves to returnable bottles.

“And we will build on our existing programmes to uplift the local community,” the company said.

SABMiller Namibia was launched in 2010 to accommodate its operations in Namibia.

According to I-Net Bridge, SABMiller Namibia is 60 percent-owned by SABSA Holdings‚ a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller and 40 percent by local Namibian partners comprising 20 percent Onyewu Investments and 20 percent by three charitable trusts for the benefit of local communities.

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