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Africa’s hotel development pipeline hits record high as East Africa leads in construction momentum

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Africa

675 new African hotels and resorts in the pipeline as Africa records fastest inbound tourism growth globally

The data clearly show that Africa’s hotel development story is being driven by a handful of high-performing markets, with Egypt firmly at the forefront

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report by W Hospitality Group reveals a record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels and resorts. This represents year-on-year growth of 18.6%, or 12.2% on a same-store basis.

 

While the overall pipeline reflects strong continental expansion, the data show that development activity is increasingly concentrated in a small number of dominant markets. The top ten countries now account for 79% of total pipeline rooms and more than 75% of new signings, reinforcing their growing influence on Africa’s hotel development trajectory.

Egypt leads with 45,984 rooms across 185 properties – more than one third of the entire African pipeline and over four times the number in second-placed Morocco, which has 10,606 rooms. Together, Egypt and Morocco account for more than 45% of total pipeline rooms, and their share continues to grow due to the high volume of new signings. Egypt alone recorded 39 new deals last year and anticipates 33 openings in 2026, reinforcing its sustained development momentum.

As Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group comments, “The data clearly show that Africa’s hotel development story is being driven by a handful of high-performing markets, with Egypt firmly at the forefront in both signings and projected openings.”

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Top 10 countries by number of rooms

Rank

Country

Hotels

Rooms

Average Size

1 Egypt 185 45,984 249
2 Morocco 75 10,606 141
3 Nigeria 57 8,480 149
4 Kenya 35 6,190 177
5 Ethiopia 34 5,964 175
6 Cape Verde 17 4,328 255
7 Tunisia 15 4,189 279
8 Tanzania 29 4,159 143
9 South Africa 31 4,136 133
10 Ghana 26 3,942 152

 

Beyond overall scale, the pipeline status data reveal that execution momentum is currently strongest in East Africa. Ethiopia and Kenya both have nearly 80% of their rooms under construction, closely followed by Tanzania at 77.5%.

This compares with significantly lower proportions of projects under construction in markets such as Nigeria and Cape Verde. While North Africa dominates in overall volume, East Africa is leading in terms of projects actively progressing toward completion and near-term delivery.

As Trevor Ward comments, “What stands out this year is the strength of East Africa in terms of projects moving forward. Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania show some of the highest construction ratios on the continent, which suggests that this is where we are likely to see new supply coming through in the short to medium term.”

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Top 10 countries by pipeline status

Rank

Country

Hotels

Rooms Total

Rooms Under Construction

%

1 Egypt 185 45,984 23,622 51.4%
2 Morocco 75 10,606 6,859 64.7%
3 Nigeria 57 8,480 3,328 39.2%
4 Kenya 35 6,190 4,922 79.5%
5 Ethiopia 34 5,964 4,768 79.9%
6 Cape Verde 17 4,328 374 8.6%
7 Tunisia 15 4,189 2,673 63.8%
8 Tanzania 29 4,159 3,222 77.5%
9 South Africa 31 4,136 2,778 67.2%
10 Ghana 26 3,942 2,196 55.7%

 

At the operator level, development activity remains highly concentrated among a small number of global brands. Marriott International leads with 31,782 rooms, followed by Hilton and Accor, with the Big Five global chains – including IHG and Radisson Hotel Group – accounting for around 80% of all pipeline hotels and rooms across Africa.

Although more than 65,000 rooms are forecast to open in 2026 and 2027, historical actualisation rates suggest delivery may fall short of projections, highlighting the ongoing gap between ambition and execution.

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Anticipated opening years of pipeline deals

Anticipated Opening Date

Hotels

Rooms

Cumulative New Rooms

2026 183 31,768 31,768
2027 177 33,381 65,149
2028 131 25,065 90,214
2029 60 11,001 101,215
To Be Confirmed 124 22,631 123,846

 

A deeper analysis of these trends – including signings, construction progress and anticipated openings – will be presented at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, taking place from 31 March to 1 April in Nairobi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).

 

Business

Century Group Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Partner, Showcasing Regional Offshore Expansion

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African Energy Chamber

The Nigerian FPSO operator will highlight its fleet capabilities, regional expansion plans and investment partnerships at African Energy Week 2026

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –Century Group has been confirmed as an Energy Infrastructure and FPSO Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town, reflecting its growing footprint as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous offshore operators. The company’s participation underscores its expanding operational capacity, fleet strength and role in driving local content and infrastructure solutions across Africa.
 




 

Century Group’s operational strategy is evolving beyond traditional service provision toward asset ownership, infrastructure management and regional expansion. In October 2025, the company confirmed it is in ongoing discussions with South African partners about potential oil and gas infrastructure projects, highlighting its interest in deploying FPSO and midstream solutions into new regional markets.

This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape

At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase how indigenous operators can support offshore production stability, build local capacity and forge strategic investment partnerships. Its asset portfolio and regional collaborations reflect Nigeria’s evolving offshore landscape, where local operators are increasingly ensuring production continuity, reducing bottlenecks and connecting domestic output to export markets – capabilities central to discussions at AEW’s upstream and infrastructure sessions.

“At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase not only its fleet capabilities but also its strategic vision for offshore infrastructure development,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape and how indigenous operators can bridge technical execution with regional growth opportunities.”

The company’s broader engagement in continental energy dialogues further underscores its strategic outlook. Century Group executives have advocated for deeper Africa‑Gulf partnerships, identifying Africa’s youthful demographics and growing energy demand as opportunities for joint investment and capability development in global energy markets.

These developments align with a wider shift in Nigeria’s energy ecosystem, where local capacity and policy reforms are boosting indigenous participation, enhancing competitiveness and unlocking private capital. Century Group’s trajectory – from managing FPSO/FSO infrastructure to cross-border expansion and strategic partnerships – reinforces its value as an FPSO partner for AEW and as a leader in Africa’s offshore energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

 




 

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ES-KO Secures Five-Year Catering & Facilities Management Contract Renewal with TotalEnergies EP Congo

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The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo

POINTE-NOIRE, Congo (Republic of the), April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –In mid-March, ES-KO (www.ES-KO.com) marked an important milestone in Congo with the renewal of its catering and housekeeping contract with TotalEnergies EP Congo for an additional five years. Awarded following a full tendering process, the renewal affirms ES-KO’s competitiveness, reliability, and operational excellence.
 




 
Download Brochure: https://apo-opa.co/4spz8K0

During the on-site visit, Beatrice Falsetti, ES-KO Operations Manager, and Olivier Guigon, ES-KO Congo General Manager, met with TotalEnergies EP Congo representatives to officially launch this new phase of collaboration. Discussions focused on future priorities, including continuous operational improvement, service quality, and initiatives to further strengthen coordination across sites.

The visit also included a trip offshore to Likouf, one of TotalEnergies EP Congo’s key production sites. Located 75 km off the coast of the Republic of Congo, Likouf is a massive floating production unit (FPU), roughly the size of two football fields and weighing around 80,000 tonnes. Operating 24/7, it is a fully self-contained industrial and living environment.

Likouf is also notable for being the first fully electric FPU, designed to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. Its “all-electric” system provides the power required for operations while minimizing gas combustion, supporting more sustainable offshore production.

Operating in such a remote and high-tech environment presents unique logistical and operational challenges—from complex supply chain coordination to maintaining consistent service standards at sea. Personnel typically live on the platform for rotations of up to one month, making daily life onboard highly structured and repetitive. In this context, ES-KO’s catering and facilities management services play a key role in supporting well-being and morale, bringing comfort, variety, and moments of relief that help break the routine.

Back onshore, ES-KO management gathered at the office to share the news with in-house teams and personally congratulate them on their efforts and contribution to this achievement. The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo.

Earlier in February, ES-KO was awarded an HSSE Trophy by TotalEnergies EP Congo in recognition of its strong 2025 performance in health, safety, security, and environmental practices.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ES-KO.

 




 

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Ascott expands in Nairobi with new Citadines signing, reinforcing the city’s position as a regional hub

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Ascott

The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 11, 2026/APO Group/ –The Ascott Limited (www.DiscoverASR.com), the wholly owned lodging business unit of Capital and Investment (CLI), has announced the signing of Citadines Westview Nairobi, a 160-key hotel located in the capital’s established Kilimani district. The new property will complement the existing 162-key Somerset Westview Nairobi serviced apartments, forming a strategic dual-brand offering that enhances Ascott’s ability to serve both short- and extended-stay demand across a broader range of traveller segments. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, Citadines Westview Nairobi is designed to cater to a growing mix of both corporate and leisure travellers as well as the meeting and conferences demand.

 




  

 

Reinforcing Nairobi’s Role as a Regional Business Hub
Nairobi continues to strengthen its position as a key regional business and investment hub, supported by growing corporate activity, infrastructure development and increasing international connectivity. This is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible accommodation that caters to both short-term and extended stays. The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline.

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand

Part of Ascott’s Broader Africa Growth Strategy
The Nairobi signing forms part of Ascott’s broader expansion across Africa, where the company has secured 10 signings over the past year. Once fully operational, these will expand its portfolio from two properties today to 23 properties with over 2,800 units across 10 cities in eight countries by 2028. In addition to Kenya, Ascott is growing its presence in key markets including Morocco, Nigeria and Ethiopia, where two properties are slated to open in Addis Ababa’s Bole district, further strengthening its footprint in East Africa.

Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director for Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, The Ascott Limited, said:
“Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand. This signing reinforces our commitment to the Kenyan market and reflects our focus on expanding in cities where we see sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers. We are honoured to further strengthen our partnership with Britam on this development, bringing together strong institutional investment and Ascott’s global operating expertise. By introducing Citadines alongside Somerset, we are able to offer a broader range of accommodation options that cater to different guest segments, while maintaining the quality and flexibility that define our brands.”

Ambrose Dabani – CEO & Principal Officer Britam Holdings PLC, said: “This investment reflects our long-term confidence in Nairobi as a key economic and commercial hub in the region. We are focused on high-quality, resilient assets that deliver sustainable value over time. Partnering with Ascott allows us to combine strong real estate fundamentals with an experienced global operator, ensuring the development is well positioned to meet evolving demand for professionally managed accommodation in the market.”

Designed for Modern Urban Living
Citadines Westview Nairobi will offer a mix of well-balanced hotel rooms, studios and one-bedroom apartments, supported by a comprehensive range of amenities including food and beverage outlets, meeting and conferencing facilities, a swimming pool, and a fully equipped gymnasium. The F&B offering will complement the Somerset Westview Nairobi’s Jabu rooftop bar and La Mascotte restaurant, contributing to a more vibrant and integrated lifestyle destination within the development. Strategically located  adjacent to Somerset Westview Nairobi in the prime Kilimani district, the property offers seamless access to Nairobi’s key business hubs and lifestyle destinations, providing guests with the flexibility and convenience for a comfortable stay, whether travelling for business or leisure, on short or extended stays.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Ascott Limited.

 

 




 

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