African Countries Are Dominating Hotel Development in Q1 2025

Africa’s hospitality sector is having a moment, and it’s not subtle. As of the first quarter of 2025, hotel development across the continent is not only alive but booming. 

The continent is now home to 577 active hotel projects, totalling over 104,000 rooms. That’s a massive 13.3% increase compared to the previous year, outpacing global growth trends by far. 

This isn’t just data, it’s a signal that Africa is shaping up to be the next frontier for global tourism and hospitality investments.

According to the Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report by W Hospitality Group, released in March 2025, this momentum is being driven by both international giants and regional hotel brands betting big on Africa’s potential. Here are the African countries leading the charge—starting from number one.

Egypt

This  is running ahead of the pack by a wide margin. The country has 143 hotel projects in the pipeline, totaling nearly 34,000 rooms. That’s over 30% of all rooms under development in Africa right now. Although only a handful of hotels opened last year, a tidal wave of 154 openings is projected for 2025.

Greater Cairo is the heart of this activity, home to 17% of Africa’s entire pipeline. New Cairo is especially hot, with global brands like Accor, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG planning over 14,000 rooms between them. 

High-end brands like Barceló and Mandarin Oriental are also planting their flags. In the resort-heavy Sharm El Sheikh, Accor dominates the scene, while Hilton is developing the only other property in that space.

Morocco

Morocco isn’t far behind. With 58 projects and more than 8,500 rooms, the country has moved ahead of Nigeria thanks to a flurry of new deals signed in 2024. Over 72% of these projects are already under construction, a solid sign of progress.

Casablanca, the economic engine of Morocco, is where much of the action is. It’s not just quantity but quality, too, with several international brands entering the market for the first time. Think Mama Shelter by Accor, Moxy by Marriott, and Eurostars’ dual-brand debut. If timelines hold, five of these new hotels will open before the end of 2025.

Nigeria

Nigeria is still one of the top players, with 48 hotel projects and over 7,300 rooms in development. But there’s a slight slowdown: only five new deals were signed last year. About 39% of the pipeline is under construction, and the majority is centred around Lagos.

Lagos continues to attract major players. Marriott International alone is developing eight hotels with more than 1,200 rooms. Accor is close behind, and smaller contributions are coming from Hilton, Wyndham, and Radisson. 

Abuja has its share of the pipeline, too, 14 projects but most of them are still in early planning, and no openings are expected this year.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is making waves with 33 active projects totaling 5,648 rooms. Impressively, nearly 84% of these projects are already under construction. That’s one of the highest construction rates on the continent.

Addis Ababa, known as Africa’s diplomatic capital, is driving this boom. Nineteen of the planned hotels are located there, led by Marriott, Accor, Radisson, and The Ascott. If all goes to plan, 15 of these hotels will open between now and 2026. 

The concern? A rapid increase in room supply could put pressure on occupancy rates and pricing.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde may be small, but it’s swinging big. With just 16 projects, the country still ranks fifth thanks to the sheer size of its resorts averaging 348 rooms each, far above the continental norm.

Boa Vista island is the epicenter of development. It’s home to some of Africa’s largest pipeline hotels, including the Meliá White Sands Resort, which will offer 835 rooms. Brands like Hilton, Marriott, TUI, and Meliá are investing in expansive beachfront properties targeting European tourists. While only one resort is expected to open in 2025, the scale and ambition here are impossible to ignore.

Kenya

Kenya remains a solid contender with 26 projects and 4,344 rooms in the works. Over 60% of these projects are actively under construction, suggesting that the country is not just planning but building.

The development is well-distributed between city hotels and resort locations. Kenya’s vibrant tourism sector continues to attract investment from both local and international chains. 

With so many hotels nearing completion, the hospitality landscape here could change dramatically in just a few years.

Tunisia
Tunisia is another strong performer, especially considering its size. With 17 projects and over 4,300 rooms, it sits in seventh place. A large share—66%—of these projects is under construction, signalling serious intent to grow its hotel infrastructure.

The focus here is largely on Tunisia’s picturesque Mediterranean coastline, where developers are building to attract European tourists seeking sun and sand. The pipeline may be smaller, but the country’s commitment is loud and clear.

South Africa
South Africa holds the eighth position with 28 hotel projects totaling 4,076 rooms. About 64% of these are under construction, and several are nearing completion.

The country’s hotel market has always been relatively mature, so its pipeline reflects more of a steady build-up than an aggressive expansion. But with fresh investments coming into both new and existing markets, South Africa is holding its own.

Tanzania
Tanzania is stepping up, especially with the rise of Zanzibar as a development hotspot. The country has 29 projects with 3,432 rooms, but only about 38% are currently under construction.

Zanzibar alone is getting 10 new resorts, set to open between 2025 and 2026. The island’s appeal is clearly growing, attracting brands across the spectrum—from budget-friendly Moxy and Protea to luxury names like Anantara and Ritz-Carlton. The mix of scale and variety makes Tanzania one to watch.

Ghana
Ghana rounds out the list with 22 projects and 3,125 rooms. Nearly 69% are under construction, a strong indicator of execution.

Accra is the center of activity, with Hilton and Marriott taking the lead. But there’s new competition, too Aleph, Eurostars, Index, and CityBlue are all entering the market. A Radisson Individuals property is also in the works. Ghana’s steady growth and strong construction pace put it firmly in the top tier of Africa’s hospitality scene.