Render of Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection – Aerial View
(IN SHORT) Marriott International plans to bolster its African presence with 50+ new hotels (9,000+ rooms) by 2027, entering five new markets: Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mauritania. The expansion emphasizes select-service brands—Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton—alongside conversions constituting over 30% of the pipeline. North and East Africa will see the greatest growth: Egypt hosts Aloft’s African debut; Morocco gains AC Hotels; Kenya and Tanzania add multiple properties including safari lodges under The Ritz-Carlton and Autograph Collection; and Uganda opens its first Marriott Hotel. West Africa’s pipeline includes properties in Nigeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania. Southern and Central Africa growth features new Autograph Collection hotels in South Africa, dual brands in Kinshasa, and Madagascar’s first Delta Hotels, with Le Méridien arriving in Cameroon. This strategy leverages Marriott Bonvoy and a diverse brand portfolio to meet rising demand for high-quality, branded accommodations and residences across the continent.
(PRESS RELEASE) CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 2025-Jun-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is poised to accelerate its African footprint, targeting the addition of more than 50 hotels and over 9,000 rooms by the end of 2027. This expansion will introduce Marriott into five new countries—Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mauritania—building on its existing portfolio of nearly 150 properties (26,000 rooms) across 20 nations and 22 brands.
“Africa’s tourism renaissance is underpinned by ambitious infrastructure projects, enhanced air connectivity, and fresh government initiatives,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer for EMEA at Marriott International. “Leveraging our diverse brand lineup, global distribution and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, we’re partnering with investors to meet surging demand for quality lodging and immersive travel experiences.”
Render of The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp – Living Area
Select-service brands such as Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton will drive much of this growth, while conversions and adaptive-reuse projects are set to account for over 30% of new openings. Key existing markets—Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria—will represent more than half of the pipeline. Branded residences are also emerging as a promising segment.
Karim Cheltout, SVP of Development for MEA, added, “From safari lodges to urban gateways, our eight luxury, premium and select-service brands enable us to deliver bespoke offerings that resonate with today’s travellers.”
North & East Africa
Over 60% of planned openings will be in Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Tanzania. Egypt will welcome Aloft Hotels to Africa’s shores with Aloft Ghazala Bay on the North Coast in 2027; more than half of Egypt’s pipeline will be through conversions. Morocco’s pipeline features AC Hotels by Marriott debuting in Casablanca in 2027. In East Africa, six new safari lodges—among them The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp (Kenya) and Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection (Tanzania)—will join the portfolio by 2027. Tanzania’s room count is set to more than double, and Kenya will see five new hotels, including the first Courtyard by Marriott in Nairobi in 2027. Uganda will gain its inaugural Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments in Kampala later this year.
West Africa
Nigeria, Marriott’s largest West African market, will add six properties—including the first Courtyard by Marriott in Abuja. New market entries: Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort in Cape Verde (opening this year); an Autograph Collection Hotel in Assinie-Mafia, Côte d’Ivoire (2027); and Sheraton Nouakchott in Mauritania (later this year).
Render of Morea House, Autograph Collection – Suite
Southern & Central Africa
South Africa will expand its Autograph Collection with Morea House in Cape Town this year and a Kruger National Park property in 2026. The Democratic Republic of Congo will welcome a Protea Hotel and a Four Points by Sheraton in Kinshasa by year-end. Madagascar’s first Delta Hotels by Marriott opens this year, followed by a Protea Hotel in Antananarivo in 2026. Cameroon is slated for its first Le Méridien in 2027.
Media Contact
Chandan Belani
Senior Director, Communications, MEA & Development PR, EMEAMarriott International
Chandan.Belani@Marriott.com
SOURCE: Marriott International
