At a Glance
- Hilton to triple African hotels to over 160 amid tourism and FDI boom.
- Expansion to create over 18,000 jobs, tapping into Africa’s tourism and urban growth surge.
- Expansion targets business corridors, tourism hubs, and fast-growing cities like Lagos, Accra, and Zanzibar.
Hilton, one of the world’s largest hospitality brands, is ramping up its expansion across Africa with plans to nearly triple its hotel portfolio on the continent to more than 160 properties.
The strategic move comes as Africa’s tourism sector rebounds sharply, foreign direct investment in hospitality rises, and urban development accelerates across key markets.
The ambitious pipeline is expected to create over 18,000 new jobs, reinforcing Hilton’s position as a market leader in Africa’s expanding hotel industry.
The hospitality powerhouse has already signed deals for more than 100 new hotels across over a dozen African countries, targeting economic corridors, tourism hotspots, and high-growth cities.
“Africa’s potential is undeniable—from thriving business corridors to iconic travel destinations,” said Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s VP of Development for Middle East & Africa.
“Our aggressive expansion supports the continent’s infrastructure momentum, economic transformation, and increasing global travel interest.”
Strategic expansion into high-growth markets
Hilton’s growth strategy includes first-time entries into Angola, Benin, and Madagascar, alongside re-entries into Tanzania and Ethiopia.
In Angola, the group has secured three projects, including the 220-room beachfront Hilton Luanda Hotel Godinho, set to open in 2027. Meanwhile, Hilton Cotonou in Benin will launch near the diplomatic district by 2028.
Nigeria is a major focus, with new developments in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. The group will debut the Curio Collection by Hilton in Abuja and introduce new Hilton Garden Inn properties in Lagos and Kano.
In Ghana, Hampton by Hilton is expected to open near Kotoka International Airport in Accra by 2026.
In East Africa, Hilton will expand in Ethiopia with DoubleTree hotels in Adama and Dire Dawa, and launch a Canopy by Hilton lifestyle property in Zanzibar’s Fumba Town.
In North Africa, Hilton is scaling rapidly, aiming to triple its footprint in Egypt and grow its presence in Morocco, including a newly signed DoubleTree in Fes.
Capturing the future of African travel
Hilton currently operates 63 hotels in Africa and has over 100 more under development.
All new properties will be integrated into Hilton Honors, the company’s global loyalty program with more than 218 million members.
As Africa’s tourism industry rebounds post-COVID and infrastructure investments increase, Hilton is positioning itself to capture rising demand from business travelers, international tourists, and a rapidly growing middle class.
