Kenya has 4,344 hotel rooms in development across multiple projects, placing it sixth in Africa’s hotel construction rankings as the continent experiences record-breaking growth in hospitality investments.
- •The 2025 Hotel Development Pipeline Report reveals that Africa now hosts 577 hotel and resort projects totaling 104,444 rooms—up 13.3% from 2024.
- •Sub-Saharan Africa saw a 6% year-on-year growth rate in hotel rooms being developed, trailing the 23% surge seen in North Africa.
- •Egypt leads the continent with 33,926 rooms in development, followed by Morocco (8,579), Nigeria (7,320), Ethiopia (5,648), and Cape Verde (5,565).
“According to the Global Cities Institute, by the year 2100, 10 of the world’s 16 largest cities will be in Africa, with all but one of them (Cairo) in sub-Saharan Africa. So, one might say that development activity in Africa has barely scratched the surface,” said Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group.
Kenya is closely trailed by Tunisia (4,336) and South Africa (4,076), underscoring a tight competition among African tourism powerhouses. Though Kenya’s pipeline numbers fall below those of its North African peers, the country’s hospitality sector is being shaped by rapid resort expansion, increased foreign investment, and a franchise-led growth model.
Resort projects along the coast and near key national parks are outpacing urban developments in both volume and average size, with new resorts averaging 210 rooms compared to 170 for city hotels.
Global hotel chains such as Marriott International, Hilton, Accor, and Radisson Hotel Group continue to expand their East African footprint, drawn by Kenya’s tourism diversity and its emerging domestic operators.
The report also notes a rise in actualisation rates—new openings compared to expectations—which nearly doubled to 38% in 2024. Over 50,000 rooms are expected to open across Africa in 2025 and 2026, signaling a post-pandemic recovery for the tourism sector.
“The growth in hotel development across Africa is a testament to the continent’s economic and tourism potential. Furthermore, the commitment from the international hotel chains makes it clear that global players see Africa as a strategic opportunity,” said Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of the Bench.
Marriott leads Africa with 165 hotels and 29,639 rooms in the pipeline, while Hilton follows with 93 hotels and 17,040 rooms. Kenya’s capital Nairobi remains a central node for hotel investment, but secondary destinations like Mombasa, Naivasha, and Diani are drawing significant attention from developers.
