Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has officially surpassed the 100-hotel milestone across the continent. The Group, primarily owned by the Chinese state-owned conglomerate Jin Jiang International, announced its “2030 Growth Ambition” today, backed by a surge in new signings and strategic entries into untapped markets.
Over the past 12 months, the Group has set a blistering pace, signing more than 15 new hotels and adding roughly 2,500 rooms to its African pipeline. This momentum is anchored by the Radisson Blu brand’s legacy and the rapid rise of the Radisson brand, which has become one of the fastest-growing names in the region due to an efficient “conversion” model.
The Group’s recent expansion is characterized by a “first-mover” advantage in several emerging economies. For the first time, Radisson is entering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with a multi-city strategy. This includes the flagship Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa—an upper-upscale 110-key property in the Gombe district slated for 2026—and a three-property cluster in Lubumbashi, the nation’s mining and secondary economic hub.
Zimbabwe also welcomes the Group for the first time with two distinct offerings. The Radisson Serviced Apartments in Harare will bring internationally branded extended-stay luxury to the prestigious Borrowdale neighborhood by 2028. Meanwhile, the Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort, set to open in 2029, will position the Group just five kilometers from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, capturing a slice of the 350,000+ international visitors the site attracts annually.
A key driver behind this rapid growth is the Group’s focus on conversions—rebranding existing hotel properties to meet Radisson’s international standards. In the last five years, more than 15 hotels, representing nearly 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio via this method. This allows for a shorter “time to market” compared to new builds, providing immediate value to property owners and travelers alike.
Ramsay Rankoussi, Regional Chief Development Officer, noted that the next phase focuses on depth in Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, prioritizing high-quality conversions and expanding resorts in locations where travelers want to go. The strategy is designed to balance urban business hubs with nature-led leisure destinations.
The 2030 strategy specifically prioritizes three growth engines. In Nigeria, the Group holds 13 hotels in its pipeline, led by the luxury Radisson Collection Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos. In Morocco, new developments are planned for Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, while in South Africa, the focus is shifting toward “safari corridors” near Kruger National Park and the Garden Route to meet the rising demand for nature-led experiences.
