Africa’s hospitality industry is witnessing unprecedented growth in 2025, as international hotel chains significantly scale up their development efforts across the continent. The latest figures from the W Hospitality Group’s Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2025 report reveal that the pipeline of branded hotels and resorts has reached a record 577 properties, comprising 104,444 rooms. This represents a 13.3% year-on-year increase—far outpacing the slower, single-digit growth seen among major global chains in other regions.
The rankings, compiled from data submitted in early 2025 by 50 international and regional hotel groups, highlight the brands leading the charge in shaping Africa’s hospitality landscape. These rankings are based on signed deals rather than open hotels, offering a clear picture of where growth is headed.
Claiming the top spot is Hilton, with 32 hotels in the pipeline for 2025, expected to add 7,575 rooms to its African portfolio. This marks an 11.9% increase over the previous year, with an average of 237 rooms per property.
Protea Hotels follows in second place with 24 projects, set to deliver 3,217 rooms across the continent, averaging 134 rooms per development. However, the brand saw a slight dip in activity with a 0.9% decrease from 2024.
Four Points by Sheraton comes in third, boasting 21 hotels under development, bringing in 3,663 rooms—an increase of 14.2% from the previous year.
Tied in fourth place are DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, each with 20 hotels in development. DoubleTree’s projects will add 3,890 rooms (up 32.1% from 2024), while Hilton Garden Inn is seeing a dramatic pipeline expansion of 120.6%, contributing 3,117 rooms.
Marriott Hotels and Resorts takes sixth position with 19 new hotels planned, introducing 5,382 rooms at an average of 283 rooms per hotel—up 4.1% from 2024.
In seventh place is Radisson, with 13 hotels in the pipeline, set to add 2,212 rooms—an 8% increase on the previous year.
Ritz-Carlton and Autograph Collection share the eighth and ninth positions, each with 10 hotels planned. Ritz-Carlton’s projects will yield 1,039 rooms, while Autograph Collection’s developments are expected to deliver 1,880 rooms. The report did not specify year-on-year changes for these two brands.
Courtyard by Marriott rounds out the top ten, with nine hotels adding 2,076 rooms—representing a 19.3% growth compared to 2024.
This dynamic growth is a testament to Africa’s evolving role as a strategic frontier for global hotel investment. With a blend of tourism potential, urban development, and increasing intra-continental travel, the continent continues to offer fertile ground for hospitality expansion