Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill

Hilton Worldwide has marked this year’s African Hotel Investment Forum with the announcement of new properties and extensions in three African countries.

It continues the company’s commitment to expansion across the continent as it seeks to double its footprint from its existing 39 hotels to more than 80 hotels in the next three to five years.

Among the new hotels agreed is Africa’s first modular build hotel, the 280 guest-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, a concept that Hilton first premiered in 2014 through a partnership with CIMC Modular Building Systems.

Other deals see the creation of Africa’s tallest hotel in Nairobi, while Hilton builds on its industry leading airport hotel legacy with an extension to the recently signed Legend Curio at Lagos Airport.

Hilton will manage all three properties as it continues to expand its managed hotel portfolio.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said: “Having been present in Africa for more than 50 years we’re proud to have remained at the forefront of pioneering hotel growth on the continent.

“This year at AHIF we’re breaking new ground in the region with the announcement of our first modular build hotel, a fast-paced construction solution that we feel has huge potential in Africa, with quicker returns for investors and a world-class hospitality experience for guests.

“We remain hugely committed to Africa across our portfolio of world-class brands, continuing to introduce our hotels to new markets across the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years.”

Modular construction is an innovative solution that can be used to drive hotel development, offering numerous benefits including faster development, streamlined design and cost efficiencies.

The process involves assembling portions of the hotel - including guest rooms and hallways - in China, before transporting them to the final site for completion, thereby significantly reducing the time taken for construction.

The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a particular benefit for developers and investors in emerging markets.