Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is expanding its footprint across East and West Africa with the signing of three new upscale properties in Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The Swiss hospitality brand aims to open these strategically located hotels between 2016 and 2019 to meet growing demand from business and leisure travellers.
The rollout begins with the 223-room Movenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi, scheduled to open in mid-2016. This will be followed by the 212-room Movenpick Hotel Abidjan, expected to welcome guests in early 2018, and concluding with the 250-room Movenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja, planned for 2019. Each property is designed to combine contemporary comfort with local touches and full-service amenities suitable for conferences, corporate stays and tourism.
“Sub‑Saharan Africa is projected to be one of the fastest-growing regions over the coming years,” said Alan O’Dea, Senior Vice President, Africa, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts. “With forecast GDP growth supporting rising travel and investment across the continent, establishing a strong presence in key cities is essential. These three new hotels will position Movenpick to serve expanding business activity and the increasing number of visitors to both East and West Africa.”
By targeting Nairobi, Abidjan and Abuja, Movenpick is focusing on important commercial and political hubs that are experiencing significant infrastructure development and increased regional connectivity. The brand’s approach emphasizes full-service hospitality, including conference and event facilities, dining concepts that reflect local cuisine, health and wellness offerings, and residential-style accommodation options where appropriate.
These openings align with a broader trend of international hotel groups investing in African markets to capture demand from multinational companies, regional trade and growing tourism. Movenpick’s planned launches aim to support local employment and partnerships while offering international-standard accommodations for business travellers, diplomats and tourists.
The sequence of openings — Nairobi first, followed by Abidjan and then Abuja — reflects both market readiness and project timelines. When operational, each hotel will contribute additional capacity to its city’s hospitality sector and provide modern meeting spaces for conferences and events that support regional business growth.
As development moves forward, Movenpick will continue to work with local partners, suppliers and authorities to ensure each property meets brand standards and local regulatory requirements. The group’s expansion in East and West Africa underscores its commitment to growing in markets with long-term economic potential and increasing travel demand.