Africa hotel development rankings: Nigeria surges ahead

Nigeria claims second and Egypt retains the top spot in the 16th edition of the Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report.

The report, published by W Hospitality Group, paints a clear picture of the rapid growth in the continent’s hotel and tourism sector. It tracks 134 hotel brands and projects that are being planned, built, or prepared to open across all 54 African countries.

Nigeria rises to second place in hotel development

Nigeria has climbed to second place in Africa’s 2024 hotel development rankings, with 7,622 rooms planned across 50 new hotels. Major global brands like Hilton, Radisson, and Marriott International Hotels are driving this growth. Lagos leads the way by signing five new hotel deals.

Egypt holds the top spot with 109 hotel projects, totalling 26,241 rooms, while Morocco is in third place with 52 projects and 7,169 rooms.

This dominance is no surprise, as both countries consistently rank as the top tourist destinations in Africa. 

Morocco, in particular, claimed the title of Africa’s most visited country in 2024, attracting an impressive 17.4 million visitors and generating $11 billion in tourism revenue. 

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Why this matters for African tourism

The continued investment in hotel development in these countries reflects their commitment to maintaining their status as Africa’s tourism leaders. However, the report also highlights that this growth is evident across the continent.

With international hotel brands investing heavily and African governments pushing initiatives to boost tourism, the report paints a promising picture. 

The development further marks a significant step in Africa’s efforts to tap into the global tourism market, which is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the total number of tourist trips is projected to reach 37.4 billion by 2030. Africa’s  hotel pipeline growth positions the continent to claim a larger share of this booming industry.