…Nigeria shows flexibility of model with 13 hotels
Since entering the African hospitality market in 2000 with Radisson Blu in Cape Town, South Africa, Radisson Hotel Group has significantly impacted the continent's hospitality industry amid skills upgrading, world-class infrastructure and sustained growth.
This year, which is barely two and a half decades of the group's operation in Africa, it has crossed 100 hotels in its African operations, while remaining on track with its 2030 growth ambition.
However, 100 hotels (in operation and under development) across the continent is a significant milestone for the group as few international brands have achieved this within the same year of operations in Africa.
But across all the group's brands in Africa, Radisson Blu continues to maintain a legacy footprint, while the Radisson brand is the fastest growing brand, supported by a strong conversion engine and a solid pipeline that continues to translate into openings.
Meanwhile, the group is building on momentum. It has signed more than 15 new hotels and approximately 2,500 rooms in the last 12 months, including new market entries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.
Over the past five years, Radisson and Radisson Blu have been ranked among the most signed brands in Africa, with one of the highest shares of cumulative openings. A new benchmark was set with over 2,500 rooms signed and multiple market entries in the last 12 months. But according to the group, priority growth markets remain Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria, where it is deepening its presence and expanding its brand distribution.
Commenting on the milestone achievement in the African market, Ramsay Rankousi, Regional Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We have passed the 100-hotel mark in Africa by staying true to our plan, focusing on where we can lead, moving fast on quality transformation and partnering with owners who share our ambition.”
Also, Radisson Hotel Group is excited by the Nigerian market, which it confesses has shown the flexibility of the group model. The group now holds a strong position in the country with an operation and pipeline of 13 hotels, while Abuja carries a significant active pipeline with three hotels totaling 458 keys.
South Africa is being reshaped with priorities in Cape Town, targeted development in secondary cities such as Durban and Pretoria and a greater focus on leisure corridors that include the Kruger National Park, Sun City and the Garden Route. The group is planning to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari and affiliation opportunities in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia to meet the growing demand for nature-based experiences.
Conversion remains a key factor for scale and speed. Over the past five years, more than 15 hotels, equivalent to approximately 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio through conversion. This helped the group establish itself as a leader across the continent while keeping brand standards high and owners in mind.
Recent signings demonstrate the breadth of this strategy with a balanced pipeline of city hotels, resort destinations and quick-to-market conversions. These signatures extend to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Morocco, including three Radisson hotels in Radisson Blu Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, Radisson Harare, Park Inn Victoria Falls, Radisson Collection Lagos Atlantic, as well as new additional hotels with the Radisson Blu Resort and Conference Center Bouskoura in Casablanca, the first Radisson brand in Rabat Hotels and further expansions in Marrakech are included.
Key signatures include: Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa upper-upscale flagship in Gombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 110-key, opening in late 2026, Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi, 97 keys, opening in mid-2027 and Radisson Blu Apartments Lubumbashi, a 160-room property targeted for 2030, and Radisson Airport Hotel Lubumbashi, a 105-room property set to open in 2028.
In Egypt, Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove, with 469 rooms, is planned for 2029, while Radisson Serviced Apartment COY Sheikh Zayed City, a 120-key serviced apartment property, is also in the pipeline.
In Morocco, Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Centre, Casablanca à Bouskoura, a 119-key hotel, Radisson Hotel & Apartments Rabat Technopolis, 140 rooms, and Radisson Blu Resort Marrakech Ben Akil, opening in early 2028, are all in the pipeline.
Of course, in Nigeria, the pipeline hotels are: Radisson Hotel Aba, a 120-room property, targeted for 2031, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Yenagoa, 196 rooms, scheduled for 2027, and Radisson Collection Hotel, Lagos Atlantic, a 107-room property, targeted for 2029.
The South Africa pipeline is boosted by Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga, featuring 155 rooms and planned for 2029, while Zimbabwe, a new market entrant, offers Radisson Serviced Apartments, Harare, a 147-key serviced apartment targeted for late 2028, and Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort, a 150-room property, due in 2029. Expected to open.
Leading the way with the most diverse footprint across the continent, with a presence in over 30 African countries, Radisson Hotel Group blends depth in focus markets with selective entry into new destinations each year.
Despite the milestone achievement, Radisson Hotel Group is not relenting, it is moving towards the next phase, part of which is pursuing another growth target for 2030.
“The next phase is about deepening in Morocco and Nigeria, an improved footprint in South Africa, and a stronger resort offering that matches where travelers want to go. Our pipeline is built to open, not just announce. That's why our conversion share is higher, our time to market is shorter, and our brands are taking hold in the cities and resort destinations that matter most,” Rancoussi concluded.