Marriott’s Africa Expansion: 50+ New Properties, 9k+ Rooms
Marriott International has announced ambitions to grow its African operations by adding over 50 locations and more than 9,000 rooms by the end of 2027. The company’s expansion strategy includes entering five markets: Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Mauritania.
The projected expansion intends to strengthen the company’s foothold across the continent, where it now operates over 150 hotels and 26,000 rooms in 20 countries and 22 brands.
“We are witnessing a transformation of Africa’s tourism sector driven by visionary government agendas, substantial infrastructure development, enhanced regional and international connectivity and diversified travel experiences, all of which are laying the foundation for a thriving hospitality sector,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
“With our renowned portfolio of brands, world-class distribution platform and award-winning travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy, we continue to drive robust expansion opportunities with owners and franchisees across Africa and remain committed to supporting the growth of its tourism sector.”
Marriott’s planned expansion intends to strengthen the strategic development of the company’s luxury, premium, and select-service portfolios in significant and rising African markets. The company’s growth across the continent is likely to be fuelled mainly by its select-service brands, such as Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton, and strong consumer demand for unique, high-quality hospitality experiences.
Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and Nigeria are the company’s fastest-growing markets on the continent, accounting for more than half of the projects set to launch in the next two years.
Conversions and adaptive reuse opportunities are also expected to drive significant growth for the organization, accounting for more than 30% of the predicted African additions by the end of 2027. The company is also experiencing a growing demand for branded residential developments across the continent.
Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President – Development, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, added, “Africa is home to emerging marketplaces that offer significant growth opportunities across major gateway cities, commercial centres, safari circuits and resort destinations. Through our diverse range of extraordinary brands, we are in a position to work with developers to offer high quality accommodations along with distinct and innovative travel experiences that resonate with today’s rapidly evolving consumer.”
North and East Africa Fuel Expansion Plans for the Continent
Marriott is experiencing strong growth momentum in North and East Africa, which will account for more than 60% of the company’s planned additions in Africa by the end of 2027. Egypt and Morocco are anticipated to lead Marriott’s expansion in North Africa.
Egypt’s plans include the anticipated debut of Aloft Hotels on the continent, with Aloft Ghazala Bay on the country’s north coast set to open in 2027. Over half of the company’s projected additions in Egypt by the end of 2027 are conversion or adaptive reuse projects. Morocco’s expansion highlights include the expected market debut of AC Hotels by Marriott, which is scheduled to open in Casablanca in 2027.
The company’s safari hotels and camps in East Africa continue to flourish, fuelled by an increasing demand for adventure and outdoor travel. Following the successful launch of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in 2023, the company plans to open six safari properties in 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 will open this year.
Marriott’s portfolio in Tanzania is expected to triple by the end of 2027. In Kenya, the business intends to open five hotels, including the debut of Courtyard by Marriott, with two launching in Nairobi in 2027. Uganda’s growth ambitions include the country’s first Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, which are set to open in Kampala by the end of the year.
Demand for Premium and Select Accommodation Remains Strong in West Africa
By the end of 2027, the company plans to add six hotels in Nigeria, its most significant growth market in West Africa. Plans include introducing Courtyard by Marriott to the country, with Abuja openings expected within the next two years, and expanding Protea Hotels by Marriott and Marriott Hotels.
Marriott also plans to enter three more West African markets within two years. The Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort is expected to open this year, marking the company’s debut in Cape Verde. Marriott also plans to open an Autograph Collection Hotel in Assinie-Mafia, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2027 and a Sheraton Hotel in Nouakchott, Mauritania, later this year.
Growth across Southern and Central Africa Remains Steady
The company’s largest market, South Africa, is slated to grow the Autograph Collection Hotels brand portfolio with the inauguration of Morea House in Cape Town this year, followed by the addition of a hotel in Kruger National Park in 2026.
Marriott intends to open a Protea Hotel by Marriott and a Four Points by Sheraton in Kinshasa by the end of this year. The company is also expected to debut in Madagascar with the launch of a Delta Hotels by Marriott this year, followed by a Protea Hotel by Marriott in Antananarivo in 2026. The company’s expansion plans also include the anticipated debut of Le Méridien in Cameroon in 2027.
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