Marriott, Hilton Expand Hotel Presence in Africa
Global hotel giants Marriott International and Hilton are accelerating their expansion across Africa as the continent’s tourism and hospitality industries experience steady growth. Both brands are making major investments to tap into new and emerging markets, focusing on gateway cities, commercial hubs, and iconic resort destinations.
Marriott has announced plans to open more than 50 new properties with over 9,000 rooms by the end of 2027, marking a substantial increase in its footprint across Africa. The hotel group will focus on entering five key markets: Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mauritania. These additions will complement Marriott’s already strong presence in Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and Nigeria, where over half of the new projects are expected to be located.
One of Marriott’s most anticipated openings is the Mapito Safari Camp in the Serengeti, launching in Q3 2025 under the Autograph Collection brand. Designed as a luxury safari-style retreat, the property will offer 16 tented suites and year-round access to wildlife viewing—bringing a unique experience to the growing demand for immersive nature tourism in East Africa.
Currently, Marriott operates nearly 150 hotels and resorts across 20 African countries, totaling 26,000 rooms under brands like Protea Hotels by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, and AC Hotels by Marriott. The company sees Africa as a prime region for development, both in leisure and business travel.
“Africa is home to emerging marketplaces that offer significant growth opportunities across major gateway cities, commercial centres, safari circuits and resort destinations,” said Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President of Development for the Middle East & Africa at Marriott. “Through our diverse range of extraordinary brands, we are in a position to work with developers to offer high quality accommodations and distinct travel experiences that resonate with today’s rapidly evolving consumer.”
Meanwhile, Hilton is also betting big on Africa. In March, the company shared plans to expand its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regional portfolio to 1,000 hotels. More recently, Reuters reported that Hilton aims to more than triple its footprint in Africa, targeting a total of over 160 hotels across the continent.
As part of its strategy, Hilton is expanding into new markets including Angola, Ghana, and Benin. While the company has not revealed which of its brands will enter these countries, the move signifies a broader push to establish a deeper presence across underserved yet high-potential African destinations.
The dual push by Marriott and Hilton comes at a time when African tourism is rebounding post-pandemic, fueled by rising international arrivals, increased infrastructure investment, and strong demand for luxury, adventure, and eco-tourism experiences. Both hotel groups are looking to capitalize on this momentum by offering a combination of world-class hospitality, local cultural integration, and innovative travel experiences tailored to today’s discerning global traveler.
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