With almost 150 hotels and a presence in 20 countries, Marriott already occupies a leading position among hotel groups in AfricaThis is particularly true since its acquisition of Protea Hotels in the middle of the last decade. With its hundred or so establishments at the time, most of them in southern Africa, this South African group provided a solid base from which to expand its footprint across the continent. And it has continued to expand ever since.
According to the research firm W Hospitality, which specialises in the African hotel industry, Marriott is the group with the highest number of hotels in Africa. the largest number of projects on the continent. With 165 hotels in its pipeline, compared with 93 for Hilton and 73 for Accor, but also 40 for IHG and 32 for the Radisson group, the American dominates the international 'big five'.
In this context, the mid-range Protea by Marriott brand continues to offer it opportunities for development, particularly in the following areas the most productive market for growth Nigeria. A country where, between now and the end of 2027, six hotels are due to open their doors, including a Courtyard by Marriott in Abuja, marking the brand's entry into the country, in addition to new Marriott and Protea hotels.
But it will also discover new destinations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a Protea by Marriott expected in Kinshasa by the end of this year, followed by Madagascar and Antanarivo in 2026. All this is part of a broader expansion plan with the expected opening of more than 50 hotels - providing 9,000 new rooms - by the end of 2027.
Half of these projects are concentrated in five key markets These include Nigeria, but also Morocco, with an AC by Marriott property planned for Casablanca in 2027, Egypt, where the Aloft brand will make its debut in two years' time on the country's north coast with the Aloft Ghazala Bay, and Tanzania, where the network is expected to double by 2027. As for Kenya, the country is obviously well suited to the development of luxury lodges and camps, with six upcoming establishments including the Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp. But the dynamism of Nairobi as a destination is also reflected in the planned launch of two Courtyard hotels in 2027.
Alongside these buoyant markets, the Group is also preparing to discover five new countries in the next two years. In addition to Madagascar and the DRC, where Marriott will be taking its first steps thanks to Protea, the American hotelier will be setting up in Cape Verde this year with the Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort. Another new destination on the shelves is Mauritania, where a Sheraton will soon open in Nouakchott, located in the capital's business district and offering 162 rooms and 38 suites, three restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as more than 1,500 m² dedicated to hosting meetings and events. Then, in 2027, it will be Côte d'Ivoire's turn, with a top-of-the-range Autograph Collection hotel in Assinie-Mafia.
With its first Le Méridien hotel in Cameroon in 2027 and the debut of the Marriott brand in Kampala, Uganda, at the end of the year, the group has no shortage of ambitions for future growth. " Africa is home to emerging markets that offer significant growth opportunities in major gateway cities, shopping centres, safari tours and holiday destinations "said Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
Hilton sees triple in Africa
Marriott is not alone in exploring these opportunities. Radisson recently announced its ambition to have 30 hotels in Morocco by 2030, compared with around ten today, and to double its current portfolio in South Africa to 25 hotels. Accor, another of the most developed groups in Africa, has just unveiled an ibis Styles Dakar and is preparing for its debut in Zimbabwe in 2028 with a Novotel in Victoria Falls. For its part, Hilton is making no secret of its desire for growth, intending to triple its presence in Africa to more than 160 hotels, compared with around sixty at present.
" We are excited to unveil a series of new destinations, building on Hilton's heritage of hospitality in Africa for over 65 years. "said Carlos Khneisser, Hilton's Director of Development for the Middle East and Africa. Among the hundred hotels expected in the coming years, a large proportion of which will directly affect business travellers, particularly airport hotels.
Following the recent launch of the DoubleTree by Hilton Addis Ababa Airport in Ethiopia, there will be a Hampton by Hilton Accra Airport Accra Kotoka International Airport in 2026, with another hotel, the Hilton Accra Cantonments, also expected in Ghana this year. Then, in 2028, a Hilton Garden Inn is due to land near Antonio Agostinho Neto international airport in Luanda, Angola.
This hotel, with 200 rooms and flexible meeting facilities, will be part of the Hilton Group's debut. in Angolawith two other projects in the pipeline. In the capital, the Hilton Luanda Hotel Godinho, due to open in 2027, will have 220 rooms and suites and more than 1,000 m² of event space, and a DoubleTree by Hilton in the oil-rich town of Cabinda, with 290 long-stay flats and 10 three-bedroom villas by the sea.
While Sofitel has recently opened a major MICE hotel in Cotonouthe American group is also involved in developing the hotel offer in the capital of Benin with a flagship hotel. Scheduled to open in 2028 near the Palais des Congrès, government offices and embassies, the Hilton Cotonou will have 233 rooms and suites, a restaurant and poolside bar, and flexible meeting spaces.
Another new feature, or almost, is that the group will be doing its back to Madagascar with two hotels. First in 2027, in the south of Antanarivo, with a Hilton Garden Inn in a complex combining shops and offices, then in 2028 in the heart of the capital with the Hilton Antananarivo, with 170 rooms, several catering options and a swimming pool, but above all a ballroom and six meeting rooms.
As with Marriott and other major hotel groups, the Nigeria is one of Hilton's most attractive markets. Here too, new projects are in the pipeline, including a new addition to its Curio Collection next year, The Wave Hotel Abuja Jabi, located in the Jabi district, a 10-minute drive from the Nigerian capital's business district. The group will also shortly be opening the first international brand hotel in the city of Kano, under the Hilton Garden Inn banner. As for the country's largest metropolis, Lagos, it will see the opening in 2029 of the Hilton Lagos Ikeja, which will feature 200 rooms and suites, a spacious ballroom and four meeting rooms in this residential area close to all business and government locations.
But Hilton will also continue to grow in North AfricaIts ambition is to triple its portfolio in Egypt to more than 40 hotels, and to double its size in Morocco in just a few years, both by developing luxury hotels and by launching new brands on the market. As part of this plan, a DoubleTree by Hilton is expected to open in Fez in 2028, next to a golf course, the industrial district of Fez and a future convention centre. Ideal, then, for business travellers.
