RWANDA – Restaurant chain Java House Africa has opened a new branch in Rwanda as part of its US$10 million commitment for expansion within the region, reports Business Daily.

This marks the second outlet that Java House operates in the country after it launched the first coffee house in January 2017.

The group, which currently runs 63 outlets, said that the investment will be focused in opening new branches across Africa.

Speaking during the launch of the outlet, Sam Imende, Java House Head of Property said; “Our goal is to carry the finest East African coffee to the rest of the world — but first, to ‘fill’ the regional market, hence explaining a move to expand to all corners of the East African Community.”

In January, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved the proposed acquisition of indirect control of Java’s owner, Abraaj Holdings by UK-based private equity fund Actis.

Abraaj Group acquired 100% of East Africa’s leading coffee chain Java House for more than US$100 million from Emerging Capital Partners.

In its stores across east Africa, Java House has operates though the Java brand, also being the owner of Italian Pizza chain 360 Degree Pizza and boasts to be the first ever East African self-service frozen yoghurt store, Planet Yogurt.

Through the investment the restaurant chain has expressed its confidence in the growing fast food sector across the region.

Java also unveiled plans of introducing new brand of eateries in its express stores as part of its expansion strategy as it seeks to cement its place as the number one restaurant chain in the region.

Paul Smith, Java Chief Executive Officer, who was quoted earlier on, revealed that the launch of the brand will offer partnership opportunity with local entrepreneurs.

“We are very excited to be launching a new brand in May this year into Nairobi which we will start promoting in March-April.

“We believe this will be very successful and we are hoping this will be franchise ready for both International and home Kenyan markets,” he said.

Java House Africa opened the first outlet in 1999 and has since then grown its business across Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and the move unlocks potential of opening its brands in other continents.