Hotel development across Africa has reached unprecedented levels, with 577 properties and 104,444 rooms in the pipeline—a 13.3% increase year-on-year, according to the latest Hotel Development Pipeline Report by W Hospitality Group. Growth in Africa is far outpacing global trends, particularly in North Africa, which saw a 23% surge in projects compared to 6% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Egypt and Marriott at the Forefront
Egypt remains the undisputed leader, with 143 hotels and nearly 34,000 rooms under development—quadruple the count in second-ranked Morocco. Cairo alone accounts for 17,757 new rooms across more than 70 properties, dwarfing other African cities.
Global hotel giants are leading the charge:
Marriott International: 165 hotels / 29,639 rooms
Hilton: 93 hotels / 17,040 rooms
Accor: 73 hotels / 15,013 rooms
Other notable contributors include IHG, Radisson, TUI, Barceló, The Ascott, Kerten, and Wyndham.
Key Trends Shaping the Market
Rising Resort Dominance: Resorts are outpacing city and airport hotels in both size and growth.
Franchise Shift: 108 projects (19% of the pipeline) now follow a franchise model, nearly double 2020’s share.
Improved Actualisation Rate: Openings vs. expectations climbed to 38% in 2024, up from 21% in 2023.
While countries like Nigeria and Ghana show slower construction progress despite large pipelines, others like Ethiopia and Morocco are seeing a higher percentage of projects actively underway.
Looking Ahead
Over 50,000 rooms across 304 hotels are expected to open in 2025 and 2026. The report will be a key discussion point at FHS Africa, taking place June 17–19 in Cape Town, where industry leaders will strategise on shaping Africa’s hospitality future.
Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group, summed it up:
“With 125 new hotel deals signed last year alone, Africa’s potential remains massive. As urbanisation accelerates, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, this boom could be just the beginning.”
