Africa’s hotel industry is experiencing a major construction boom, with numerous new projects set to open in the next two to three years, signaling strong growth and investment opportunities across the continent.
According to nairametrics.com, global chains from Marriott to Hilton are accelerating their push into the continent, betting that rising incomes, stronger air links, and government-backed tourism drives will sustain demand for new rooms between 2025 to 2027 or 2028.
Project data reviewed for 2025 shows that some cities are pulling far ahead. Measured by anticipated hotel rooms signed and under development.
The pace of development reflects both ambition and risk. While projects are announced with fanfare, delays and financing snags are common, meaning not every room in the pipeline will open on schedule. Yet the concentration of deals in certain cities underlines where investors and hotel operators see long-term opportunity.
For Africa’s largest economies, expanding hotel capacity is more than a play for tourist dollars. It’s about building infrastructure for trade, and regional integration.
Here are the ten African cities with the highest number of luxury hotel projects in 2025 according to the W Hospitality Group report 2025.
10, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
No of projects: 3
This beach destination has mega-resorts averaging 521 rooms each. Hilton, Marriott (three properties), Meliá, and TUI (two) are behind the projects. The 595-room TUI Magic Life is expected to open this year, with others scheduled for 2027 or later.
9, Casablanca, Morocco
No of projects: 7
Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital, is emerging as one of the busiest hubs for hotel development in North Africa. The city accounts for nearly a third of the country’s pipeline, with about 60% of those projects expected to open in 2025 and 2026.
Several international brands are using Casablanca to mark their entry into the continent: Accor is introducing its first Mama Shelter in Africa, Marriott International is bringing in its Moxy line, and Eurostars Hotel Group is debuting both its Eurostars and Exe brands.
Five hotels are scheduled to open this year, including properties from Eurostars, Marriott’s Le Méridien, Onomo and The Ascott’s Citadines.
8, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
No of projects: 9
Sharm El Sheikh, perched on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, has long been one of Africa’s premier resort destinations. The Red Sea city is now preparing for another wave of growth, with nine projects in the pipeline.
Accor dominates the scene, accounting for eight of those projects and nearly all of the planned rooms, spread across its Fairmont, MGallery and Rixos brands.
The only other entrant is Hilton, which plans to open a resort under its Curio Collection.
7, Zanzibar, Tanzania
No of projects: 10
Zanzibar is quickly becoming one of Africa’s fastest-growing destinations for hotel development. Ten new resorts, totaling 1,461 rooms, are scheduled to open over the next two years on Unguja, the island’s main hub. Long known as a market reliant on tour operators and charter flights, Zanzibar is seeing its tourism profile transform as infrastructure improves and international air connections expand.
That growth is attracting a mix of brands, from midscale entries such as Moxy and Protea to luxury names including ENVI, Anantara, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton.
6, Dakar, Senegal
No of projects: 14
Dakar, Senegal’s capital and the westernmost city on mainland Africa, is seeing a surge in hotel development. Fourteen properties with a combined 2,334 rooms are in the pipeline, with four scheduled to open this year.
Among them is the Yaas Republique, one of the continent’s rare economy hotels, under the Mangalis brand. Another Yaas location is also planned for the city. Major players are circling Dakar as well: Hilton and Marriott each have three properties in development, while Hyatt, The Ascott, Accor, IHG and TUI are each preparing a single project.
5, Abuja, Nigeria
No of projects: 14
Despite strong demand, the city remains curiously underserved by internationally branded hotels. The development pipeline is dominated by Marriott International, with nine planned properties, and Radisson Hotel Group, with three.
Yet progress is uneven: of the 14 projects on the books, nine are still in the pre-planning stage, while those under construction have been advancing at a sluggish pace.
4, Accra, Ghana
No of Projects: 14
Accra has become a magnet for international hotel operators despite economic headwinds. Marriott (six) and Hilton (four) dominate the pipeline, with new players such as Aleph, Eurostars, Index, CityBlue, and Radisson Individuals also joining the market.
3, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No of projects: 19
Addis Ababa, widely recognized as Africa’s diplomatic capital, is also the world’s third-largest diplomatic hub after New York and Geneva.
That status is reflected in its robust hotel development pipeline: 19 properties are currently signed, including three with Accor, six with Marriott International, three each with Radisson Hotel Group and The Ascott, and additional projects from Hilton, Aleph, CityBlue and Leva. Fifteen of those hotels are scheduled to open in 2025 and 2026.
2, Lagos, Nigeria
No of projects: 21
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is often described as an economy in its own right — larger than that of many African countries. The city’s hotel pipeline reflects its scale and demand, dominated by Marriott International, which has eight projects totaling more than 1,200 rooms.
Accor follows with five hotels in development, while Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts each have three, and Hilton has two. Several long-anticipated projects, including a Hyatt Regency, Best Western Plus and The Ascott’s Citadines, are expected to finally open in 2025.
1, Cairo, Egypt
No of projects: 70
Cairo, long considered a gateway to Africa and the Middle East, is emerging as the continent’s largest hotel development hub.
The Egyptian capital has 70 projects in the pipeline, anchored by the continent’s four biggest players: Accor with 19 hotels, Marriott International with 18, Hilton with 17 and IHG with 13.
Together, these account for more than 14,600 rooms. Around a third of those rooms are scheduled to come online over the next two years. The pipeline also features newcomers such as Barceló and Mandarin Oriental, which is set to manage the storied Shepheard Hotel, alongside Radisson Hotel Group.
