Alcoholic Beverage Companies and the HIV Response in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of HIV Programs at Heineken and SABMiller

Close to 26 million people (70 percent of those living with HIV globally) were living with HIV in 2014 in sub-Saharan Africa, and the number of new infections was estimated at 1.4 million. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 66 percent of the global total of new HIV infection. Forty-one percent of all people living with HIV in the region were accessing antiretroviral treatment (ART). In the same year, 790,000 people died of AIDS-related causes.

Despite improved access to ART, HIV continues to have a significant impact on economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. Morbidity and mortality among the region’s 26 million HIV-positive people affect companies at every operational level: from staffing and training through production and distribution.

This case study presents the responses developed by the alcoholic beverage companies Heineken and SABMiller to address HIV within their African business communities. Both companies have contributed to the HIV response, not only within their operating companies or subsidiaries, but also at community and national levels by partnering with governments, NGOs, and international organizations. JSI/AIDSFree. 2016.