Popular beverages will now be packaged and branded locally, following the unveiling of a N$337 million wine packaging line by Namibia Breweries Limited.
President Nangolo Mbumba unveiled the new facility at the NBL's headquarters in Windhoek.
The new wine packaging line expands NBL's capacity to produce and package beverages, including fan favourites Hunters Gold, Savanna, and Tassenberg wine.
The expansion would further enable the brewer to diversify its brand portfolio, with an additional investment of $44 million to enhance its existing packaging lines.
The project, which commenced in April 2023, was completed ahead of schedule by a dedicated supply team and 19 suppliers, 11 of whom were Namibian.
"This value addition will reduce Namibia's reliance on imports and create many opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises. The inclusion of Namibian-owned businesses is a testimony to NBL's commitment to play its rightful role in the growth of our economy. The commissioning of the NBL new wine packaging line is a testimony of a working partnership between the private sector and the public sector that provides a conducive business environment for investment."
The Head of State urged the brewer to support the rehabilitation of those who have fallen out of mainstream socio-economic existence due to alcoholism.
He commended the NBL for investing N$900,000 in 2023 as part of its corporate social responsibility, but added that more needs to be done.
"We are facing increased incidents of other social ills such as drunken driving, resulting in many accidents on our roads, alcohol-influenced gender-based violence, and similar social ills. There is scope for NBL to strengthen its portfolio of campaigns through innovative means to enhance responsible drinking in our society."
The NBL says its new wine packaging line would help maintain its status as a top tax-contributing company.
Last year, the company contributed N$1.6 billion towards total corporate taxes, customs, and excise.
"We also extended our warehouse to 4,400 sq m, which was a further investment of N$56 million. With this equipment, we can package Tassenberg, Castelo, and Granada locally, as well as Savana and Hunters, and we will pay an additional N$170 million in excise to the Namibia Revenue Agency."
Vetumbuavi Mungunda, Board Chair of Namibia Breweries Limited, said, "Coupled with this is NBL's beer exports, which amounted to N$747 million in 2023. This is testimony that Namibia Breweries meaningfully contributes towards the socio-economic development of the country and thus the social upliftment of Namibians."
The Trade Ministry says the Heineken parent company continues to comply with the conditions imposed by the Namibia Competitions Commission when it acquired NBL.
"The condition is that NBL must continue to source from Namibian local products and owned businesses by Namibians while continuing with customer engagements so that no conditioner selling is allowed," says Minister of Industrialization and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu.