Starbucks coffee chain will open its first two cafes in South Africa in April, the company announced Thursday, marking its entry into sub-Saharan Africa.
The coffee shops will be located in upmarket shopping malls in and near the financial capital Johannesburg, catering for South Africa’s growing urban coffee market.
“Both stores will open in late April 2016,” Starbucks local partner Taste Holdings said in a statement.
The company said the new stores will serve coffee sourced from Africa in Starbucks original Espresso Roast blend, and other coffees from around the world.
The cafes will compete with a host of locally-owned brands and independent coffee shops.
Starbucks Coffee Company has a presence in only two other African countries, Egypt and Morocco.
The chain operates more than 22,000 cafes worldwide.
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