Radisson Hotel Group surpasses 100 hotels in Africa, on track with 2030 ambition

…Nigeria shows model’s resilience with 13 hotels

Since its entry into the African hospitality market in the year 2000 with Radisson Blu in Cape Town, South Africa, the Radisson Hotel Group has hugely impacted the continent’s hospitality industry, amid skills upgrade, world-class infrastructure and sustained growth.

This year, which is barely the group’s two decades and half operation in Africa, it has surpassed 100 hotels across its African operation, while on track with its 2030 growth ambition.

However, the 100 hotels (in operation and under development) across the continent is a significant milestone for the group as a few international brands have achieved that under the same year in operation in Africa.

But across the group’s brands in Africa, Radisson Blu has continued to anchor the legacy footprint, while the Radisson brand is the fastest riser, supported by a strong conversion engine and a concrete pipeline that continues to translate into openings.

Meanwhile, the group is building on the momentum. It has signed over 15 new hotels and roughly 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 ranked among the most signed brands in Africa, with one of the highest shares of cumulative openings. The last 12 months set a new benchmark with more than 2,500 rooms signed and multiple market entries. But the priority growth markets, according to the group, remain Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, where it is deepening its presence and widening its brand distribution.

Commenting on the milestone achievement in the African market, Ramsay Rankoussi, regional chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We have crossed the 100-hotel mark in Africa by staying true to our plan, focusing on where we can lead, moving fast on quality conversions, and partnering with owners who share our ambition.”

As well, Radisson Hotel Group is excited with the Nigerian market, which it confessed has shown the group model’s resilience. The group now holds a strong position in the country with 13 hotels in operation and pipeline, while Abuja is carrying a significant active pipeline with three hotels totaling 458 keys.

South Africa is being reshaped with priorities in Cape Town, targeted growth in secondary cities such as Durban and Pretoria, and a sharper focus on leisure corridors that include Kruger National Park, Sun City, and the Garden Route. The group plans to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari, and affiliation opportunities across Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to meet the rising demand for nature-led experiences.

Conversions remain a core lever for scale and speed. In the last five years, more than 15 hotels, equal to almost 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio through conversion. This helped the Group lead openings across the continent while keeping brand standards high and owners in mind.

Recent signings show the extensiveness of this strategy, with a balanced pipeline of city hotels, resort destinations, and quick-to-market conversions. These signings span the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, including Radisson Blu Kinshasa and three Radisson hotels in Lubumbashi, Radisson Harare, Park Inn Victoria Falls, Radisson Collection Lagos Atlantic, as well as new additions in Casablanca with Radisson Blu Resort & Conference Center Bouskoura, a first Radisson brand hotel in Rabat, and further expansion in Marrakech.

The key signings include: Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa Upper-upscale flagship in Gombe, in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 110-keys, opening late 2026, Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi, 97 keys, opening mid-2027 and Radisson Blu Apartments Lubumbashi, a160-room property targeted for 2030 and Radisson Airport Hotel Lubumbashi, a105-room property set to open in 2028.

In Egypt, Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove, a 469-room is planned for 2029, while Radisson Serviced Apartments COY Sheikh Zayed City, a120-key serviced apartments property, is also in the pipeline.

In Morocco, Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Casablanc a Bouskoura, a 119-key hotel, Radisson Hotel & Apartments Rabat Technopolis, 140 rooms, and Radisson Blu Resort Marrakech Ben Akil, opening 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, offering 155 rooms and planned for 2029, while Zimbabwe, a new market entry, offers Radisson Serviced Apartments, Harare, a 147-key serviced apartment targeted for 2028 end and Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort, a 150-room property, expected to open in 2029.

Leading with the most diverse footprint across the continent, with presence in more than 30 African countries, Radisson Hotel Group blends depth in focus markets with selective entry into new destinations each year.

Despite the milestone achievement, the Radisson Hotel Group is not relenting, it is moving to the next phase, part of which is pursuing another growth target for 2030.

“The next phase is about depth in Morocco and Nigeria, a smarter footprint in South Africa, and a stronger resort offering that matches where travelers want to go. Our pipeline is built to open, not just to announce. That is why our conversion share is high, our time to market is short, and our brands are gaining ground in the cities and resort destinations that matter most,” Rankoussi concluded.