Radisson Hotel Group announced its intention to expand into Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago, where it will develop a high-end lodge and a safari operation. To date, the chain has surpassed the 100-hotel threshold in Africa, counting both active properties and those under construction. Within the portfolio, Radisson Blu remains the cornerstone of the established presence, whereas the Radisson label is experiencing the quickest growth, driven by an effective conversion system and a solid pipeline that consistently yields new openings.
Expanding Across the Continent
Building on this momentum, the Group 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. Priority growth markets remain Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, where the Group is deepening its presence and widening its brand distribution.
Ramsay Rankoussi, Regional Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, commented: “We’ve 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. 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.”
Growth Strategy in Nigeria and South Africa
Nigeria exemplifies the model’s strength, with the company now operating or developing 13 hotels in the country. Abuja, in particular, has a substantial active pipeline, including three hotels totaling 458 rooms. In South Africa, the strategy is being refined, prioritizing Cape Town, targeting growth in secondary cities like Durban and Pretoria, and focusing more on leisure areas such as Kruger National Park, Sun City, and the Garden Route.
Conversions have been essential for rapid expansion and scalability. In the past five years, over 15 hotels, comprising nearly 3,000 rooms, have joined through conversions. This approach has allowed the company to lead in openings across Africa while maintaining high brand standards and considering owners’ needs. Recent agreements highlight this strategy’s breadth, with a diverse 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.
Key New Developments
Democratic Republic of the Congo: An upper-upscale flagship in Gombe, set on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in the Gombe district, will offer 110 keys, including suites and a Presidential Suite. The hotel will open late 2026. Guests can choose from a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant, and a pool bar. Wellness includes a gym, massage rooms, and an outdoor pool with a terrace. Meetings and events feature a modern event hall with a pre-function area. The address is well connected, 32 kilometers from N’djili International Airport, 10 kilometers from N’Dolo Airport, and 6 kilometers from Gare Centrale.
Panoramic city stays in the DRC’s second city: Located on Revolution Road Avenue, the hotel will feature 97 keys, including junior suites and a Presidential Suite. Dining spans a lobby bar, an all-day dining venue, and a rooftop bar and grill with city views. Three flexible meeting rooms and a pre-function area support business and social events. Facilities include a gym and a swimming pool. The location sits near Kipopo Lake, Lubumbashi Golf Club, and La Plage, and is 12 kilometers from Luano International Airport.
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Radisson Blu Apartments Lubumbashi: Upscale apartment living in Lubumbashi’s prestigious Quartier Golf. A 160-room property located in Quartier Golf, one of Lubumbashi’s most upscale residential districts, near Kipopo Lake and surrounded by luxury homes and key landmarks including Lubumbashi Golf and La Plage. Planned amenities include a specialty restaurant and bar, a pool bar, and a gym, offering a premium stay experience for extended-stay and leisure travelers.
Expanding Across Africa and the Middle East
Radisson Airport Hotel Lubumbashi: A strategically located airport hotel designed for ease and connectivity. Set to open in 2028, this 105-room property will be located just 6 kilometers from Luano International Airport, around a 10-minute drive, making it well positioned for business travelers, transit guests, and airline crews. Planned facilities include a restaurant, lobby bar, pool bar, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool, combining practicality with a welcoming hospitality experience close to the airport.
Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove: A large-scale Red Sea resort in one of Egypt’s growing leisure destinations. Planned for 2029, Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove will offer 469 rooms, including 50 family rooms, as part of The Groove Ain Sokhna mixed-use development. Located along the Red Sea coast, around 30 kilometers south of Ain Sokhna and approximately 150 kilometers from Cairo, the resort is expected to feature private beach access, a spa, gym and fitness center, several restaurants, plus a ballroom and meeting rooms, catering to both holidaymakers and events demand.
Radisson Serviced Apartments COY Sheikh Zayed City: Flexible extended-stay accommodation in a fast-growing hub of Greater Cairo. Expected to open in 2030, this 120-key serviced apartments property, including six one-bedroom units, will form part of the COY development in Sheikh Zayed City. With a location just 13 kilometers from Sphinx International Airport and 14 kilometers from the Great Pyramids of Giza, the development sits close to major commercial, leisure, education, and healthcare destinations. Planned amenities include a coffee lounge, bar, kiosk, and meeting and event space integrated into the wider co-working environment.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Casablanca Bouskoura: A conference-ready address beside Palm Golf. A 119-key hotel with eight suites, a rooftop restaurant, and a dedicated conference center. Event facilities include two boardrooms, while a spa and a large outdoor pool cater to leisure travelers. The hotel is located 20 kilometers from Mohammed V International Airport and next to Palm Golf Palmeraie Country Club.
Radisson Hotel & Apartments Rabat Technopolis: A dual-component hub in the capital’s innovation park. A two-building project in Technopolis, 25 minutes from central Rabat. The hotel will offer 140 rooms, four dining venues, a pool, and a meeting and events space. The adjacent serviced apartment building adds 56 units. Technopolis connects businesses with leading education and research centers, creating a strong base for corporate demand.
Resorts and Urban Destinations in Africa
Radisson Blu Resort Marrakech Ben Akil: Low-rise bungalows with views of Atlas Mountains. A 17-hectare estate featuring 80 bungalow-style accommodations, each with an outdoor terrace. Larger typologies include private pools. The resort sits beside Royal Golf Marrakech and is a 15-minute drive from the city center.
A new internationally branded hospitality destination for Aba: Targeted for 2031, Radisson Hotel Aba will introduce 120 rooms, including six junior suites, in a prime riverside location along the Aba River near key transport corridors. The hotel will become the first Radisson-branded property in Aba and the Group’s third branded hotel in Nigeria. Plans for the hotel include a gym, swimming pool, and several meeting rooms, serving both business and local demand. Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri is approximately 56 kilometers away, or a 1 hour and 10-minute drive.
