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Marriott announced this week that it plans to add more than 50 properties (and 9,000 rooms) to its portfolio in Africa by 2027. With these additions, it will be in 20 African countries across 22 brands. New countries include Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mauritania.
The hotel giant will operate 22 of its brands on the continent. North and East Africa together account for more than 60% Marriott’s planned additions. Egypt and Morocco are expected to lead the expansion. Egypt will see the debut of the Aloft Hotelsbrand in Africa, with the opening of Aloft Ghazala Bay. More than 50% of the hotels being added in Egypt are conversion or adaptive reuse projects. Expansion highlights for Morocco include the debut of AC Hotels by Marriott brand with a property opening in Casablanca in 2027.
In East Africa, Marriott continues to see growth with safari lodges and camps. Following the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge’s successful opening in 2023, it’s slated to open six safari properties across the region, including The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp (Kenya) and Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection (Tanzania).
Marriott’s portfolio in Tanzania is expected to more than double by the end of 2027 while in Kenya the company plans to open five properties including the debut of Courtyard by Marriott with two expected openings in Nairobi in 2027. Growth plans in Uganda include the country’s first Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments with scheduled openings in Kampala by late 2025.
By the end of 2027, Marriott expects to add six properties in Nigeria (its largest growth market in the West Africa region). The Courtyard by Marriott brand will be introduced in the country with openings in Abuja and the continued expansion of the Protea Hotels by Marriott and Marriott Hotels brands.
Marriott is also slated to enter three new markets in West Africa by 2027. Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort is anticipated to open this year. This marks the company’s debut in Cape Verde. It’s also expected to enter Côte d’Ivoire in 2027, with an Autograph Collection Hotel located in Assinie-Mafia, and Mauritania with a Sheraton Hotel in Nouakchott.
South Africa is Marriott’s largest market and it’s expected to see an expansion of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand with the opening of Morea House in Cape Town this year (followed by a property within Kruger National Park in 2026). Marriott also plans to enter The Democratic Republic of Congo with a Protea Hotel by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton in Kinshasa. It’s also expected to enter Madagascar with the opening of a Delta Hotels by Marriott this year and a Protea Hotel by Marriott anticipated in 2026 in Antananarivo. Further planned expansion includes the opening of Le Méridien in Cameroon in 2027.
Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Marriott International, said:
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.”
Anthony’s Take: There is no denying that Marriott is a beast and continues to grow at exponential rates. You’ll find a property in its portfolio pretty much anywhere in the world.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
