Over the next five years, Hilton plans to add roughly 100 hotels—about 20,000 guestrooms—across multiple African markets, allocating $50 million to this expansion. The growth will focus primarily on Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and the Curio Collection by Hilton.
“Hilton remains committed to growth in Africa, having operated on the continent for more than 50 years. Converting existing hotels into Hilton-branded properties has proven effective in numerous markets, and we expect significant opportunities to rebrand hotels as part of this initiative,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton.
He added that conversions allow Hilton to expand its portfolio quickly while delivering value to owners by exposing their properties to more international, regional and domestic travelers—especially the 65 million-plus Hilton Honors members who seek Hilton’s suite of industry-leading brands. Fitzgibbon noted the company sees strong potential in key cities and airport locations, as well as in resort destinations and safari lodges.
Among the first properties announced under this initiative are the DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham and the DoubleTree by Hilton Kigali City Centre. The Nairobi property has 109 guestrooms and originally opened under a different brand in 2016; it is currently undergoing renovations. The Kigali hotel, Hilton’s first property in Rwanda, will offer 134 guestrooms and 19 apartments and is scheduled to open next year. Hilton also indicated it will announce additional African openings before year-end.
This expansion strategy emphasizes partnerships with existing property owners to accelerate growth while maintaining consistent brand standards and guest experiences. By targeting conversions alongside new developments, Hilton aims to increase its footprint across urban centres, travel hubs and leisure destinations, meeting rising demand from both business and leisure travellers throughout Africa.
The investment and focus on well-known brands align with broader industry trends where hotel groups leverage established loyalty programs and brand recognition to drive occupancy and revenue. Hilton’s approach seeks to balance rapid market entry with careful refurbishment and integration of local properties into its global portfolio, ensuring that new and converted hotels meet guest expectations for quality, service and amenities.
As Hilton advances this plan, travelers and property owners can expect announcements on additional hotels and timelines for openings in several African countries. The company’s commitment to conversion-led growth, complemented by targeted investment, positions it to expand its presence across the continent while offering owners and guests the advantages of an international hotel network.