Tourexpi
Radisson Blu continues to anchor the legacy footprint. At the same time, the Radisson brand is the fastest riser, supported by a strong conversion engine and a concrete pipeline that continues to translate into openings. 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. The last 12 months set a new benchmark with more than 2,500 rooms signed and multiple market entries. Priority growth markets remain Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, where the Group is deepening its presence and widening its brand distribution.
Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, commented: “We’ve crossed the 100-hotels mark in Africa by staying true to our values, executing our plan, and delivering compelling results to owners while moving fast on quality conversions. The next phase evolves into a geographic focus in Morocco and Nigeria and strengthens our presence in South Africa with a concrete pipeline under construction. The trust of our owners, the momentum of our journey, and the expertise of our regional leadership will drive resilience and unlock opportunities.”
Nigeria shows the model’s resilience. The Group now holds a strong position in the country with 13 hotels in operation and pipeline, while Abuja is carrying a significant active pipeline with three hotels totaling 458 keys.
South Africa is being reshaped with priorities in Cape Town, targeted growth in secondary cities such as Durban and Pretoria, and a sharper focus on leisure corridors that include Kruger National Park, Sun City, and the Garden Route. The Group plans to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari, and affiliation opportunities across Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to meet the rising demand for nature-led experiences.
Conversions remain a core lever for scale and speed. In the last five years, more than 15 hotels, equal to almost 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio through conversion. This helped the Group lead openings across the continent while keeping brand standards high and owners in mind.
Recent signings show the extensiveness of this strategy, with a balanced pipeline of city hotels, resort destinations, and quick-to-market conversions. Signings include Radisson Blu Kinshasa and three Radisson hotels in Lubumbashi, all in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Radisson Collection Lagos Atlantic in Nigeria; Radisson Harare and Park Inn Victoria Falls, both in Zimbabwe; and Radisson Blu Resort & Conference Center, Casablanca Bouskoura, and a first Radisson hotel in Rabat, both in Morocco. Further expansion is also planned in Marrakech.
Picture Credit: © 2026 Radisson Hotel Group
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