The hospitality sector across Africa is experiencing unprecedented momentum, with the continent’s branded hotel development pipeline hitting a new all-time high, according to the definitive industry survey.
The 18th annual Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026 report, published by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, reveals a total of 675 hotels and resorts under development, encompassing 123,846 rooms. This represents a robust 18.6% year-on-year increase from the previous year (or 12.2% on a same-store basis, adjusting for new contributors). The survey drew data from 53 international and regional hotel chains and contributors.
Egypt maintains its commanding lead, accounting for more than one-third of the entire continental pipeline with 185 projects and 45,984 rooms — a remarkable 35.5% growth in its own pipeline over the past year. Greater Cairo alone boasts the largest urban hotel pipeline on the continent, with 22,111 rooms across 88 projects, representing 18% of Africa’s total.
Morocco secures second place with 75 hotels and 10,606 rooms, followed by Nigeria in third with 57 hotels and 8,480 rooms. Other notable markets in the top tier include Kenya (35 hotels, 6,190 rooms), Ethiopia (34 hotels, 5,964 rooms), Cape Verde, Tunisia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana.
Together, Egypt and Morocco represent over 45% of the total pipeline rooms, underscoring a significant concentration of development activity in North Africa. The top 10 markets collectively account for approximately 79% of all rooms in the pipeline.
While North Africa dominates in sheer volume, East Africa is leading in execution. Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia report nearly 80% of their pipeline rooms already under construction, with Tanzania close behind at 77.5%. Nigeria shows a more measured 39.2% under construction.
Major global operators continue to drive the expansion. Marriott International leads with 31,782 rooms in the pipeline. The “Big 5” chains — Marriott, Hilton, Accor, IHG, and Radisson Hotel Group — collectively represent around 80% of the pipeline activity.
The report indicates that over 65,000 rooms (nearly 53% of the total pipeline) are expected to open in 2026 and 2027. However, historical actualization rates suggest that not all projects will come to fruition on schedule, a common challenge in large-scale African infrastructure development.
The surge reflects strong investor confidence fueled by recovering tourism demand, improving connectivity, and economic diversification efforts across key markets. Egypt benefits from its established tourism infrastructure and strategic location, while markets like Nigeria and those in East Africa are capitalizing on rising business travel, leisure demand, and urban growth.
W Hospitality Group Managing Director Trevor Ward noted the increasing sophistication of the African hospitality market, even as development remains concentrated in a handful of high-potential destinations.
Detailed findings and strategic insights from the report will be presented at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, scheduled for 31 March to 1 April 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This record pipeline positions Africa as one of the world’s most dynamic regions for hotel development, promising substantial economic benefits through job creation, infrastructure improvement, and enhanced tourism capacity in the years ahead.
