At a Glance
- Simama Hotel adds locally owned, high-quality accommodation to Lilongwe’s growing business travel market.
- MWK3.6 billion ($2.08 million) investment targets diplomats, executives and conferences underserved by international hotel chains.
- Project highlights rising role of Malawian entrepreneurs in tourism, employment and urban development.
Simama Hotel, a 17-storey landmark rising above Lilongwe’s Falls Estate district, reflects a growing wave of locally financed hospitality investment in Malawi.
Opened in 2015, the property is owned by Malawian entrepreneur and preacher Abraham Simama and has become one of the capital’s most recognizable privately owned hotels, serving diplomats, executives, and regional travelers.
Abraham Simama’s vision for local hospitality
Owned and developed by the Simama Group of Companies, the hotel was built at a cost of MWK3.6 billion ($2.08 million).
The diversified group has interests spanning real estate, construction, agriculture, and hospitality, positioning Simama Hotel as a flagship asset in its portfolio and a statement of confidence in Malawi’s urban economy.
How Simama Hotel serves Lilongwe
Designed to meet both corporate and leisure demand, Simama Hotel offers 52 rooms alongside conference facilities, a restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool, and wellness amenities.
Primarily distinguished by its combination of a central location near major transport links (bus depots and city center) with a comprehensive, self-contained, and quiet “resort-style” feel. It is known for having a high-end spa, steam room, and swimming pool, all within an urban setting.
Its scale and facilities address a long-standing gap in Lilongwe, where high-quality accommodation for conferences and official events has historically been limited.
The hotel’s presence has helped strengthen Lilongwe’s appeal as a destination for meetings, diplomatic engagements, and regional commerce. Beyond commercial returns, the hotel has played a broader social and economic role.
Local investment strengthening Malawi’s tourism sector
The development created jobs during construction and ongoing operations, while Simama has used the property as a base for community initiatives, including food donations and local outreach programs.
The project mirrors Simama’s broader philosophy of building locally owned assets that can compete on quality while remaining rooted in domestic capital.
In a hospitality market still small compared with regional peers, Simama Hotel illustrates how Malawian entrepreneurs are stepping in where international operators have been absent or slow to invest.
For Abraham Simama, the Lilongwe hotel is more than a business venture. It is a statement of confidence in Malawi’s long-term urban growth, private enterprise, and the capacity of local investors to shape the country’s skyline and service economy.
