Author

Olivier van Beemen

Olivier van Beemen (b. 1979) is an investigative journalist specialising in Africa. Beer in Africa is the result of five years of research, not only in the twelve African countries where Heineken has its own breweries and joint ventures, but also in the company’s archives and literature. The author spoke to 300 sources within and around the company. The Dutch edition of his book was nominated for the Lira Scherpenzeel Prize for ‘ground-breaking international journalism’ and is now in its fifth edition.

Beer in Africa

Beer in Africa

A multinational unleashed

(Prometheus, 2018, 224 pages)

For Heineken, ‘rising Africa’ doesn’t just represent a promising future. The continent has proved highly lucrative for decades, with profits almost 50 per cent higher than the global average. In some African countries beer costs more than it does in Europe. According to the Dutch brewer, this is not only good news for shareholders, but also for the economic development of the countries in Africa where it operates. But should we believe them?

Read more

Translations

Authors and translators Writers