The Accor group continues its conquest of English-speaking Africa. The continent's leading international group with nearly 180 establishments, mainly in North Africa and French-speaking countries, the hotelier has just signed a letter of intent with the pan-African investor Shoreline Group to develop a network of hotels in Nigeria.
Concluded on the sidelines of the Africa Forward 2026 summit, jointly organised by Kenya and France in Nairobi, this project concerns the development of 10 hotels and over 1,200 rooms by 2030. Covering various segments, from mid-range to luxury, this development plan spans the country, with eight cities in total to be involved in this expansion. In parallel with Shoreline Group's $300 million investment, the creation of a hospitality training academy is also planned within this framework.
" We are delighted to partner with Shoreline Group and thus contribute to the immense potential of the Nigerian hospitality sector. " commented Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor. For his part, Kola Karim, CEO of Shoreline Group, specified that "this partnership is essential to Shoreline's strategy to build benchmark infrastructure platforms across Africa". In this context, the investor anticipates that " Hotel infrastructure will become increasingly crucial for capital flows and development, particularly in Nigeria where there is a shortage of high-quality rooms. ".
While quality hotel supply is indeed insufficient according to the CEO of Shoreline Group, it is growing rapidly. According to the annual W Hospitality study, 57 hotels are under development, making Nigeria the most dynamic African market for hospitality after Egypt and Morocco. And Accor, which already has 4 hotels with Ibis and Mövenpick in Lagos and a Novotel in Port Harcourt, is not the only global group considering its growth in the country.
Hyatt will soon be adding Lagos to its list of destinations with a Hyatt Regency. Furthermore, the Radisson Hotel Group plans to strengthen its presence in Nigeria, expanding from four hotels to 13 in the near future. While Lagos is set to welcome a luxurious Radisson Collection by 2029, the major economic hub is not the only area affected by this development, with new hotels expected in the capital, Abuja, and in secondary cities such as Aba and Yenagoa. As for Accor, before the conclusion of its partnership with Shoreline Group, the French group also had five hotels in development, including the Mövenpick Living Abuja and the ibis Lekki, which will open this year, in addition to other upcoming premium and mid-range hotels.
