Marriott International, Inc. has announced its plans to expand in Africa. It expects the addition of more than 50 properties, with over 9,000 rooms, by the year 2027. The company’s growth strategy includes the expected entry into five markets – Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mauritania. The expansion is intended to strengthen the company’s footprint on the continent, where it currently operates nearly 150 properties with 26,000 rooms in 20 countries under 22 brands.
“We’re witnessing the transformation of Africa’s tourism sector, driven by visionary agendas of government, substantial infrastructure developments, enhanced regional connectivity, and diversified experiences of travel, all of which lay the foundations of a thriving hotel sector,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “With Marriott Bonvoy and our award-winning travel program, we continue driving robust expansion opportunities for owners and franchisees throughout Africa. We remain committed in supporting the growth and development of its tourism industry.”
Marriott’s expansion plans aim to strategically develop the company’s portfolio of luxury, premium, and select-service hotels in key and emerging African destinations. Growth in Africa is expected to be driven largely by the company’s select-service brands including Protea Hotels, Four Points, Sheraton and Protea Hotels, as well as a high demand from consumers for unique, high-quality experiences. Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco Kenya and Nigeria make up the majority of projects scheduled to open within the next two-years. The company is also expected to grow significantly through conversions and adaptive reuse projects, which will represent more than 30% of its anticipated African additions at the end of 2027. The company has also noticed an increased demand for residential projects that are branded across the continent.
Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President – Development, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International“Africa offers significant growth opportunities in gateway cities, resort destinations, safari circuits, commercial centres and other major markets.” Our diverse range of exceptional brands allows us to work with developers in order to offer high-quality accommodation along with unique and innovative travel experiences which resonate with today’s rapidly changing consumer.
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North and East Africa Expansion Plans of Fuel for the Continent
Marriott’s growth in North and East Africa is expected to be strong, with the two regions together accounting for over 60 percent of its planned additions by 2027. Marriott’s expansion in North Africa is expected to be led by Egypt and Morocco. Aloft Hotels are expected to debut in Egypt, and Aloft Bay on the North Coast is scheduled to open in 2027. Over half of the expected additions by the company in Egypt before the end 2027 will be conversions or adaptive reuse projects. Highlights of the expansion in Morocco include AC Hotels by Marriott’s anticipated debut on the Moroccan market in Casablanca, scheduled to open in 2027.
The company is continuing to grow in East Africa with the opening of safari camps and lodges. This growth is fueled by an increasing interest for outdoor adventure travel. Following the successful opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in 2023, the company is slated to open six safari properties across the region by the end of 2027, including The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp (Kenya), and Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection (Tanzania) – both of which are scheduled to open this year.
Marriott’s portfolio is expected to double in Tanzania by 2027. In Kenya, the company will open five properties in 2027 including two Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Nairobi. In Uganda, Marriott Executive Apartments and the first Marriott Hotel in the country are scheduled to open in Kampala at the end of the year.
West Africa’s demand for premium and select accommodation remains strong
The company plans to expand its presence in Nigeria by adding six new properties between now and 2027. Nigeria is the largest market for growth in West Africa. Courtyard by Marriott will be introduced in Nigeria, with Abuja opening within the next 2 years. Marriott Hotels and Protea Hotels are also expected to expand.
Marriott will also enter three new markets on the continent of West Africa over the next two to three years. The Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort, the first Marriott property in Cape Verde, is expected to open later this year. Marriott is also expected to enter Côte d’Ivoire in 2027, with an Autograph Collection Hotel located in Assinie-Mafia, and Mauritania with a Sheraton Hotel situated in Nouakchott, which is expected to open later this year.
Growth in Southern and Central Africa is Stable
In South Africa, the company’s biggest market in Africa is expected to expand the Autograph Collection Hotels portfolio this year with the opening Morea House, then in 2026, a property in the Kruger National Park. Marriott will also enter the Democratic Republic of Congo with a Protea Hotel By Marriott and Four Points Hotel by Sheraton by the end of 2018. In addition, the company will debut in Madagascar in 2020 with the openings of Delta Hotels by Marriott and Protea Hotels by Marriott in Antananarivo. The company’s planned expansion also includes the anticipated debut of Le Méridien in Cameroon in 2027.
