Vida e Caffè plans to open a further 25 stores by the end of the first quarter of 2024 | Photo credit: Vida e Caffè

South Africa’s Vida e Caffè has set its sights on reaching 500 stores across Africa and the Middle East in 2028. 
 

The Cape Town-based coffee chain currently operates 267 stores in South Africa, alongside 27 outlets across Ghana, Mauritius and Zambia. 

Vida e Caffè plans to open a further 25 stores by the end of the first quarter of 2024, alongside market entries in Botswana and Eswatini and a potential debut in Tanzania later in the year. 

Part of Vida e Caffè’s 500-store goal also includes identifying a long-term partner to facilitate expansion into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 

“Our goals are ambitious and in the longer term we envision our footprint expanding to 500 stores in the next four years, contingent upon our partnership agreements. This year also marks our foray into two new countries, Eswatini and Botswana, with Tanzania and the GCC region hopefully in the next year. Our growth in existing countries remains robust, confirming and underpinning our aspirations both in country and beyond,” said CEO Darren Levy. 

Founded in 2001, Vida e Caffè has utilised several brand partnerships to facilitate its outlet growth and enhance brand recognition.  

The coffee chain is the official coffee partner to medical insurance provider Discovery Vitality and bookseller Exclusive Books, runs cafés in 19 branches of DIY retailer Builders Warehouse and supplies coffee to South African airline, LIFT.

Additionally, Vida coffee is served in all Sweetbeet outlets in Cape Town following Vida e Caffè’s acquisition of the healthy food chain in late 2021.