Hilton accelerates growth in Sub-Saharan Africa with record signings | News
Hilton has announced accelerated growth across Africa, signing a record 29 deals in 15 countries by 2025. The global hospitality company will open more than 100 hotels across the continent, creating more than 20,000 jobs and bringing Hilton’s total African footprint to more than 180 hotels on the market and in the pipeline. The news coincides with the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa taking place in Nairobi this week.
Driven by strong demand for trusted, high-quality hospitality, Hilton continues to expand its portfolio with both its full-service and targeted service brands. This includes Hilton’s debut in Gabon and its re-entry into Chad with the signing of a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in each country, in addition to the continued expansion of the Hilton Garden Inn brand.
Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “Sub-Saharan Africa remains a strategically important growth region for Hilton, where we continue to see strong long-term potential, driven by expanding business centers, improving connectivity and increasing investment in tourism infrastructure. As travel demand evolves, we remain on track to open more than 100 hotels in Africa, more than half of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa – reflecting our ambition to bring more of our brands to established and emerging markets. Thanks to the expertise of our local teams, we look forward to continuing this next chapter of growth together with our partners, as we support the development of the region’s hospitality sector and deliver exceptional stays for our guests.”
Hilton will make its debut in Gabon with the signing of Hilton Libreville and Hilton Garden Inn Libreville, developed in partnership with FB Group and expected to open in 2027.
Hilton Libreville
The hotel will offer 101 modern rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, a lobby café and bar, and an all-day restaurant with terrace. The hotel will also feature an executive lounge, a co-working hub and extensive meeting facilities, including a ballroom and four meeting rooms, in addition to a spa, fitness center and outdoor pool.
Hilton Garden Inn Libreville will offer 116 rooms and suites, a lobby shop, bar, fitness center and meeting rooms designed to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers.
Located on Libreville’s main waterfront in the prestigious Baie des Rois development, the hotels will form part of a vibrant mixed-use destination with panoramic views over the Bay of Kings and easy access to key government, business and leisure attractions.
Hilton Garden Inn Freetown Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Freetown Airport is expected to further strengthen Hilton’s partnership with FB Group in Sierra Leone’s capital later this year. The property will become Sierra Leone’s first internationally branded airport hotel. It will be located next to the Lungi Congress Center and is part of an ongoing airport expansion project that will see the site become a hub for international businesses and exhibitions.
The hotel features 110 modern rooms, a lobby café, a restaurant, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and four meeting rooms. The opening marks Hilton’s debut in Sierra Leone and in Freetown, a port city with a mix of cultural and heritage attractions.
Hilton N’Djamena Toumai Palace
Opening later this year in partnership with Société Nationale d’Exploitation Hôteliére (SONEXHO), Hilton N’Djamena Toumai Palace marks Hilton’s re-entry into Chad and will become a central hub for business and international travelers visiting the capital. Located in the heart of N’Djamena, the hotel offers easy access to the main administrative and diplomatic institutions in the city and is just 600 meters from N’Djamena International Airport (NDJ).
The hotel will feature 243 rooms and suites and a range of dining options, including a specialty restaurant, a sky bar and lounge, a lobby bar and lounge, a grab-and-go café and an all-day restaurant. Meeting and event facilities include a banquet hall and four meeting rooms, complemented by wellness amenities such as a fitness center, tennis court and outdoor pool.
Hilton strengthens presence in Zambia and South Africa
Hilton Lusaka Pyramid
Scheduled to open in 2027, Hilton Lusaka Pyramid will feature 211 rooms and suites, multiple dining options including a choice of specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby café and a pool bar. Guests can enjoy an executive lounge, fitness center, spa and outdoor pools for adults and children. The hotel will also house more than 4,000 m² of meeting and event space, including a ballroom and 11 meeting and boardrooms – making it a great location for MICE, corporate or social events.
The hotel was developed in collaboration with Zebra Manufacturing Zambia Limited, a subsidiary of Asmara Holdings based in Dubai, and located in the Sunningdale part of Lusaka, close to embassies, ministries and administrative offices. It offers easy access to the city’s main commercial areas and to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Hilton Garden Inn Polokwane
Set to open in 2028, Hilton Garden Inn Polokwane will feature an all-day restaurant, lobby bar and rooftop bar, outdoor pool and fitness center, as well as flexible facilities including four meeting and events rooms.
The hotel will be located in a mixed-use development close to the city’s established business district and directly opposite a shopping center. It offers a modern and comfortable stay for guests visiting the city for both business and leisure. The hotel is being developed in partnership with Net Worth Properties (Pty) Ltd.
Hilton’s commitment to South Africa remains strong, with several hotel projects in the pipeline. This latest signing follows the recent signing of The Sterling Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in addition to two additional hotels currently in development.
Continued expansion south of the Sahara
Hilton continues to expand its footprint in key African markets through a series of recently announced brand and market debuts. In West and East Africa, this includes the first entry into Benin with the signing of Hilton Cotonou, Togo with the signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Lomé Airport, and Tanzania with Canopy by Hilton Zanzibar The Burj, in addition to Hilton’s continued expansion in Nigeria and Ethiopia. The momentum also extends across Central and Southern Africa, with debuts in Angola through three signings, Hilton Luanda Hotel Godinho, Hilton Garden Inn Luanda Airport and DoubleTree by Hilton Cabinda Futila Residences, as well as in Madagascar with Hilton Antananarivo and Hilton Garden Inn Antananarivo.
Hilton’s expansion in the region will be supported by several upcoming openings this year, including Hilton Accra Cantonments, which marks Hilton’s debut in Ghana, and Ava Hotel Nairobi, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, which marks the brand’s first hotel in Kenya. Hilton currently operates 70 hotels in Africa, with more than 100 hotels in development across 13 commercial and pipeline brands, underscoring the scale and momentum of Hilton’s growth in the region.
