Kigali: The Large American coffee chain that sells Rwandan coffee is to give free drinks to whoever will go out to vote Tuesday in the elections, the firm announced. Starbucks said in the advert “IT’S BIGGER than Coffee” that its stores would give free cups of coffee to people that go out to vote to “stimulate civic participation” in the election that observers say could attract up to 130million Americans – a historical turnout.  

Senators Barak Obama and John McCain are vying to replace President George Bush is a poll, according to available indications, could swing to Obama’s advantage. However, Mr McCain is not leaving any chances as every vote counts. Both campaigns have put up extensive get-out-the-vote plans to woos voters out to the voting centres.   

Rwandan coffee Blue bourbon is sold by the mega chain in some 5,000 stores across the U.S. The firm also announced in August that it would start selling Rwandan coffee in the Middle East.

Rwanda got some 15 million dollars from coffee exports for the first half of 2008 – bypassing the annual target – with most of the coffee going to the U.S and European markets.

Starbucks is to also open a regional Starbucks Farmer Support Center in Rwanda. The facility will provide an opportunity for Starbucks to collaborate with farmers in Rwanda and in the East Africa region, and demonstrates the company’s continued support for their efforts to expand the availability of their high quality, specialty coffee worldwide.

Top executives from the firm have also been to Rwanda on several occasions.

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