Marriott International has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its footprint across Africa. The company expects to add over 50 new properties and 9,000+ rooms by the end of 2027.
The expansion will focus on key and emerging markets and in introduce Marriott properties to five new countries; Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mauritania. The company also expects to continue to strengthen its presence in traditional markets like Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Currently, Marriott has nearly 150 properties and 26,000 rooms across 20 countries and 22 unique brands.
Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Marriott International, said this about the company’s expansion plans:
“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. With our renowned portfolio of brands, world-class distribution platform and award-winning travel program, 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 Growth Plans for Africa
According to the company, it expects that the bulk of the growth in Africa will come from its select-service brands, including Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton. Conversions and adaptive reuse opportunities are expected to make up more than 30 percent of the anticipated African additions by the end of 2027.
The growth for the company can be broken down into three buckets; West Africa, Southern and Central Africa, and North and East Africa.
North and East Africa Leads the Charge
North and East Africa will account for more than half of the planned additions which include:
- The first Aloft hotel in Africa, located in Egypt, with the debut of Aloft Ghazala Bay
- Morocco will see the AC Hotels by Marriott brand enter the market in Casablanca.
- Six new safari lodges join the portfolio, including:
- The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp (Kenya)
- Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection (Tanzania)
Marriott International also plans to open five new properties in Kenya, including the debut of the Courtyard by Marriott Nairobi. Uganda will welcome its first Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments in Kampala later this year.
Steady Growth in Southern and Central Africa
Marriott’s largest market in Africa, South Africa, will have two new properties open in the coming years. First, the Morea House in Cape Town, an Autograph Collection hotel, will open later this year. That will be followed by an anticipated property in Kruger National Park which is expected to open in 2026.
Marriott International is also entering the Democratic Republic of Congo with a Protea Hotel by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton in Kinshasa. Cameroon will welcome the Le Méridien brand in 2027 while Madagascar will see the opening of a Delta Hotels by Marriott this year, followed by a Protea Hotel in Antananarivo in 2026.
Nigeria Remains West Africa’s Largest Growth Market
Most of the growth in West Africa will come in Nigeria, where the company plans to open six new properties by 2027. This includes the Courtyard by Marriott in Abuja and a continued expansion of the Marriott Hotels and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands.
Three of the five new markets in Africa are located in the west, with Marriott adding the Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort in Cape Verde, an Autograph Collection Hotel located in Assinie-Mafia, Côte d’Ivoire, and a Sheraton Hotel in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Summary
Marriott International is planning on a major expansion in Africa over the next few years. By the end of 2027 the company is expected to add more than 50 properties and 9,000+ rooms in the African market. This accounts for more than 33% growth from the company’s current portfolio and will see the Marriott family of brands expand to five new countries.
Personally, I am excited about the new safari lodges as Mrs. ATX and I are looking at taking an African safari in the future. If Marriott keeps expanding at this rate, we will have plenty of options to chose from.
(images courtesy Marriott International)