Africa remains one of the most active hospitality investment frontiers globally, supported by rising tourism demand, expanding urban economies, and a growing pipeline of branded hotel developments across the continent.
At the start of 2026, Africa’s hotel chain development pipeline stood at 675 hotels and 123,846 rooms, an 18.6% increase year-on-year, according to the Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026 report by W Hospitality Group.
The analysis draws on signed development deals submitted in early 2026 by 53 regional and international hotel chains operating across Africa, as well as global groups with multi-country footprints.
For consistency, it excludes purely domestic hotel operators active in only one African market.
The coverage spans all 54 African countries, including North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and key island markets in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, offering a comparable view of where future hotel supply is concentrated across both major cities and resort destinations.
Zanzibar, Tanzania’s globally recognized island resort destination, ranks ninth among Africa’s top cities and resorts for planned hotel rooms in 2026, with 3,319 rooms in the development pipeline. The island continues to attract significant hospitality investment as its tourism profile expands.
Nine new resorts totaling 1,618 rooms are scheduled to open in 2026, while an additional four projects with 806 rooms are expected in 2027.
Luxury developments from brands such as ENVI Lodges, Four Seasons, and House Residence by Kerten Hospitality are among the major additions shaping Zanzibar’s premium hospitality market.
By the end of 2027, about 73% of Zanzibar’s total hotel pipeline is scheduled to become operational, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing resort markets.
