The Coca- Cola company said on Friday it will relocate its Africa Group office from Windsor, England to Johannesburg in South Africa starting in January next year, in a bid to increase business growth in Africa.

The relocation of the office to the African continent will commence early next year and is due to be completed by June, read a statement released by the company. Coca-Cola aims to integrate the company's leaders with its 60,000 associates in Africa. The group also expressed that through this move, which is part of its "Manifesto for Growth' campaign, hopes to lessen the gap between its customers, suppliers and business partners.

South Africa is our largest market, contributing a substantial share of our revenues and the infrastructure is well-developed with connections to many destinations in Africa as well as direct flights to the USA, said Alex Cummings, President & Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola Africa.

Cummings said the move also demonstrates the company's growing confidence in Africa's future business growth. Over the last five years, Coca-cola has invested more than $600-million in Africa, most of it went towards the development of new plants, updating equipment and employee training.

South Africa is our largest market, contributing a substantial share of our revenues and the infrastructure is well-developed with connections to many destinations in Africa as well as direct flights to the USA, Cummings added.

Coca-cola Africans consume an estimated 78 millions servings of Coca-Cola products on a daily basis. According to Cummings, the continent's improving business infrastructure, including its airline network and mobile telecommunications have turned it into an attractive investment destination.

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