Gisenyi was selected for two reasons: (a) It was easily accessible, by water, land and air and (b) Lake Kivu has a large quantity of proven reserves of methane gas, a source of alternative energy.

[3] In 1971, the Heineken Group, a Dutch brewing conglomerate, acquired a 70 percent majority shareholding in Bralirwa.

A soft beverages plant was opened in Kigali, Rwanda's capital and largest city.

The brewer partnered with the Coca-Cola Company, which allowed Bralirwa to widen the range of products manufactured.

[4] As of December 2017[update], the ownership of the company stock is as depicted in the table below:[1] As of December 2017, the members of the board of directors of Bralirwa included the following individuals:[1] The Bralirwa brewery is located in Gisenyi, approximately 158 kilometres (98 mi), by road, west of Kigali, Rwanda's capital city.