African Hospitality Goes into Overdrive in 2025
If you think traveling across Africa means staying in basic lodges or old hotels, think again. In 2025, the hospitality scene is seeing a massive transformation. International hotel giants—think Hilton and Marriott—aren’t just sticking to the usual tourist spots; they’re popping up everywhere, with game-changing investments across the continent. Right now, 577 shiny new hotels with over 104,000 rooms are in the works, spanning 42 different countries. That’s a 13% jump compared to this time last year.
The real action is happening up north. North Africa is leading the way with a whopping 23% more hotel projects, and Egypt is hogging the spotlight by accounting for nearly a third of all rooms currently being built. You can walk through Cairo or head to the Red Sea coast and find construction cranes and fresh hotel signs at every turn. The region clearly sees itself as ready for serious tourism dollars, and the hotel chains agree.
Sub-Saharan Africa isn’t sitting quietly. With 347 projects and over 55,000 rooms in progress, it’s seeing a steady 6% uptick. Secondary cities are getting a look-in too. Spots like Limpopo and the Free State in South Africa—places that never really made the international travel brochures—are quickly rising up the ranks. It’s no longer just about Cape Town or Nairobi; new markets want in on the hotel gold rush.
Why the Sudden Surge?
It’s not just tourists driving this surge. The new hotel wave is fueled by a couple of solid trends. Resort developments are exploding—38% of the new projects are resorts, way up from 21% the year before. Africa’s sun-drenched beaches, wild savannahs, and cultural hubs are getting serious attention. More travelers want a slice of the ‘resort life,’ and the market is happy to serve it up, from Morocco to Mozambique.
Franchise models are becoming the go-to strategy for global brands. Instead of owning every hotel, big names are letting local partners run the show under their banner. It means Hilton, Marriott, and others can plant their flags much faster and adapt to local tastes—think Moroccan-inspired coffee bars, local artwork in lobbies, and fusion menus at breakfast.
South Africa’s numbers prove this gamble is paying off. In May 2025, hotels across the nation hit nearly 60% occupancy. Revenue per available room—hotel-speak for earnings—shot up by 16%. After years of stops and starts, locals are traveling again, and foreign visitors are back in force.
When you look at the map, it’s not just the usual suspects claiming the spotlight. Secondary cities are seeing new-found popularity, with growing air connections and a push for regional tourism. For travelers, this all means more choices and better value. For the continent, it’s a sign that Africa’s appetite for hospitality is only getting started and has room to grow far beyond what many once expected.
