Hotel Giants, Hilton and Mariott, Double Down on Africa Investments

The giants in global hospitality industry are racing each other in planting luxury propoerties across the African Continent.

Global hotel chains Mariott International together with Hilton Hotels and Resorts have launched aggressive expansion projects that will see the two industry bigwigs add over 50 properties and over 100 properties respectively in Africa goals being realized between 2026 and 2027 or threreafter.

Among the Mariott plans was to make its market debut in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar and Mauritania.

In Africa, the chain already has 150 properties and 26,000 rooms across 20 countries and 22 brands.

Hilton Hotels, on the other hand, plans to open more than 100 hotels on the continent, tripling its presence from the current 63 properties.

“We are witnessing a transformation of Africa’s tourism sector driven by visionary government agendas, substantial infrastructure development, enhanced regional and international connectivity and diversified travel experiences, all of which are laying the foundation for a thriving hospitality sector,” Jerome Briet, the Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International was once quoted as saying.

Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria are the highest growth markets for the company in the continent, making up more than half of the projects slated to open in the next two years.

Marriott’s portfolio in Tanzania is expected to more than double by the end of 2027 while in Kenya the company plans to open five new properties, including the debut of Courtyard by Marriott with two expected openings in Nairobi in 2027.

Growth plans in Uganda include the country’s first Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments which saw openings in Kampala in early 2026.

By the end of 2027, the company will add six properties in Nigeria, its largest growth market in the West Africa region. Plans include the introduction of Courtyard by Marriott in Abuja within the next two years, and the expansion of Protea Hotels by Marriott and Marriott Hotels.

Hilton, which is in the process of divesting from its iconic property in Nairobi’s Central Business District, is also on an expansion drive across the rest of the continent.

Across its brand portfolio, the hospitality expects to open more than 100 hotels, creating approximately 18,000 jobs for local people. It has signed three properties in Angola, two in Madagascar, two in Ethiopia, and one in Benin.

It is expanding its presence in Nigeria with properties in Abuja, Lagos Ikeja, and Kano. It will also be reentering Tanzania with the signing of Canopy by Hilton Zanzibar The Burj, expected to open in 2027.