Africa’s hotel industry is in the middle of a construction boom over the next two to three years, and the numbers tell a compelling story.
Global chains from Marriott to Hilton are accelerating their push into the continent, betting that rising incomes, stronger air links, and government-backed tourism drives will sustain demand for new rooms between 2025 to 2027 or 2028.
Project data reviewed for 2025 shows that some cities are pulling far ahead. Measured by anticipated hotel rooms signed and under development.
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The pace of development reflects both ambition and risk. While projects are announced with fanfare, delays and financing snags are common, meaning not every room in the pipeline will open on schedule. Yet the concentration of deals in certain cities underlines where investors and hotel operators see long-term opportunity.
For Africa’s largest economies, expanding hotel capacity is more than a play for tourist dollars. It’s about building infrastructure for trade, and regional integration.
Here are the ten African cities with the highest number of luxury hotel projects in 2025 according to the W Hospitality Group report 2025.
No of projects: 10
Zanzibar is quickly becoming one of Africa’s fastest-growing destinations for hotel development. Ten new resorts, totaling 1,461 rooms, are scheduled to open over the next two years on Unguja, the island’s main hub. Long known as a market reliant on tour operators and charter flights, Zanzibar is seeing its tourism profile transform as infrastructure improves and international air connections expand.
That growth is attracting a mix of brands, from midscale entries such as Moxy and Protea to luxury names including ENVI, Anantara, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton.
I think Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, Nigeria should be included among the cities with the highest number of hotels rooms.in Africa.