Leading hospitality player to open additional 35 hotels and over 6,500 rooms from the pipeline in next 2-3 years, signalling sustained regional growth.

Cape Town, South Africa – June 17, 2025: IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hospitality companies, is recording strong growth trajectory in the African continent.

As a key player in the continent’s rapidly expanding hospitality landscape, IHG's portfolio in Africa includes 38 open hotels and over 9,200 rooms. This robust presence is further supported by a significant pipeline that will see 35 hotels and over 6,500 rooms open in next 2-3 years, underscoring the group’s long-term vision for Africa.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts IMEA, said: “Driven by the vast tourism potential and increasing urban development across various countries, Africa continues to generate strong demand for international-standard accommodations, presenting an incredible opportunity for growth in the hospitality sector. Travellers are eager to explore the continent’s diverse offerings – its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, unique wildlife experiences and business potential presenting exciting opportunities for IHG."

IHG expects milestone hotel openings this year across Egypt, Morocco and South Africa including voco Cairo Arabella Plaza, InterContinental Rabat and the iconic InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town.

“Set to open in December 2025, the InterContinental Table Bay hotel in Cape Town is one we are especially excited about, as it will build on the hotel’s rich history and usher in a new era of luxury hospitality in the market,” Mattar added. “With its scenic location and a legacy of excellence, this iconic property embodies the essence of the InterContinental brand, and we’re pleased to be working with V&A Waterfront and Sun International to bring this to life in one of Africa’s most vibrant cities.”

IHG has strategically built its diverse brand portfolio, from mainstream to luxury, across established African destinations like Cairo, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. The hospitality group is also placing its distinctive brands such as voco and Vignette Collection in ‘story-driven’ wildlife tourism locations, ensuring the evolving needs of every type of traveller are catered to. Complementing this, IHG is venturing into up-and-coming African markets with recent signings like Holiday Inn Dakar in Senegal and Crowne Plaza Lagos in Nigeria.

The African hospitality industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by international hotel chains increasing operations and expanding their footprints. As per a report by UN Tourism, in 2024, the continent welcomed 74 million international visitors – a 7% increase from 2019 and a 12% increase compared to 2023. North Africa led the recovery with a 22% increase in international arrivals compared to 2019, with intra-African travel also playing a significant role in the overall tourism increase. Such figures indicate an enhancement of infrastructure and experiences and a growing perception of Africa as a premier tourism destination.

With a strong pipeline and a clear strategic focus, IHG continues to show significant momentum in one of the world's most dynamic and promising markets.