KIGALI, RWANDA—From the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Marriott International has revealed further expansion plans in Africa with seven new hotel signings. Marriott International made a significant investment in Africa with the acquisition of Protea Hotels for $210 million in 2014.
The company is targeting more than 200 hotels with 37,000 rooms open or in the pipeline by 2022, equating to around $8.5 billion of capital investment by its real estate partners, according to the brand.
“Africa today makes a very compelling story. We are seeing unprecedented traction for our compelling brands, driving our momentum of growth,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.
He added, “We have always believed in the potential of Africa and the opportunities the continent has to offer. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanization, the demand for travel and high quality lodging is growing, providing us with a significant opportunity to enhance our footprint and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent.”
Today, Marriott International hotels are present in 20 African countries. The company is expected to foray into new markets including Benin, Botswana, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal and has signed 1,300 new rooms marking the debut of Marriott International into the Ivory Coast while strengthening its presence in existing markets including Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria.
Abidjan Marriott Hotel, Ivory Coast
Owned by Ivory Coast Investissement, the hotel is slated to open in 2021 and will be part of a mixed-use development that will include a conference center, offices, retail and a national library.
Sheraton Abidjan and Four Points by Sheraton Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Slated to open in 2022, both Sheraton Abidjan and Four Points by Sheraton Abidjan will also be part of a mixed-use development, which will include a convention center, a marina, a shopping center and an office building. The 259-room Four Points by Sheraton Abidjan will be a conversion of an existing hotel, which will be rebranded following extensive refurbishment, while the 300-room Sheraton Abidjan will be a new-build property. Owned by the Societe Des Lagunes, the hotels will be set on the waterfront in Cocody, an upmarket residential commune that also houses the embassy district.
Renaissance Landmark Lagos Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Owned and developed by Landmark Africa Group, Marriott International will manage the 216-room Renaissance Landmark Lagos Hotel, as well as the 44-room Marriott Executive Apartments. Slated to open in 2020, the hotels will be located within the Landmark Village precinct, a mixed-use, business, leisure and lifestyle development along the Atlantic Ocean waterfront in Victoria Island, the central business district of Lagos.
Le Méridien Accra, Ghana
The 160-room Le Méridien Accra, owned by 4-Mac Limited, is within close proximity to the international airport, within the Airport Residential Area of Accra. Scheduled to open in 2021, the hotel marks the debut of Le Méridien brand into Ghana.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Projected to open in 2021, the 165-room Protea Hotel by Marriott Addis Ababa, located on Churchill Ave. will mark the debut of the brand into Ethiopia. The hotel will offer a specialty restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge and meeting facilities as well as a fitness center and spa.
In Egypt, the company recently reopened Sheraton Cairo, after an extensive renovation. It is now looking to debut its luxury brand St. Regis, with the opening of the St. Regis Cairo.