The sustained boom in the tourism sector in Africa could not but catch the attention of renowned names in the international hospitality value-chain as Ecofin Agency reported recently with many expansion and investments announced in the sector.

Indeed, during the African forum on investments in the hospitality sector held in Nairobi (Kenya) this week, at least four investments have been announced by groups such as the Ameciran Marriott & Hilton, the French Accor and Radison Hotel Group controlled by the Chinese HNA.  

In a communique, Radison Hotel Group announced that it launched ten new hotels in Africa this year and is planning to increase its hosting capacity to 23,000 rooms in 120 hotels in the continent by 2022.

In addition, though it is based on data from years before 2015 (before the fall of oil price on the international market) a recent report published by the UNCTAD and focused on the tourism sector in Africa indicates that the sector registered a 7% growth in 20 years. Experts also indicate that the dynamic of free trade zones in Africa will also strengthen the sector’s performance.

Idriss Linge