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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Plc (www.AccessBankPlc.com), Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, has called for stronger collaboration among policymakers, financiers and businesses to accelerate trade within Africa and unlock the continent's economic potential.

Ogbonna made the call at the Access Bank Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026) held in South Africa, where he said Africa must address structural barriers that continue to limit the growth of intra-continental commerce despite its vast market opportunities.

Speaking during his opening remarks, the Access Bank Chief noted that the conference was convened to continue conversations which started at the inaugural edition in 2025 on how Africa can expand trade within the continent while strengthening its participation in global markets.

He noted that Africa's share of global trade remains relatively small, stressing that fragmented trade corridors and structural bottlenecks continue to hinder the growth of commerce across the continent.

His words, “The reality is that Africa still controls a small share of global trade. The corridors are still fragmented and more aspirational than functional, and too many small businesses that aspire to trade across Africa remain constrained”.

Further speaking, Ogbonna explained that stakeholders at last year's conference agreed on three key priorities at transforming Africa's trade landscape. The priorities he listed include, (i) Breaking down silos between policymakers, financial institutions and businesses, (ii) Building a trade ecosystem driven by reliable data and analytics, and (iii) Developing systems that support both large corporations and smaller businesses seeking to expand across borders.

He noted that the 2026 edition of the conference is not a fresh start but a continuation of efforts to drive meaningful progress in intra-African trade. According to him, since the last edition of the conference, some progress has been recorded across key sectors of the economy.

“We have seen value chains emerging across agriculture, manufacturing and services, and we are seeing African brands crossing borders and building a global presence,” he said.

Ogbonna also pointed to the growing role of technology platforms in reducing friction in areas such as payments, logistics and market access. He, however acknowledged that the gains remain uneven across the continent, with progress concentrated in a few markets and specific trade corridors.

Speaking on the need for stronger infrastructure financing in growing intra African trade, the Director General for Southern Africa at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Kennedy Mbekeani, called for stronger mobilisation of private capital to finance critical infrastructure required to unlock the full potential of Africa's trade integration.

“The mobilisation of private capital remains crucial as many African governments are constrained by limited fiscal space and overstretched balance sheets. The mobilisation of capital, particularly private capital, is something that we need to work on”, Mbekeani said.

Opening up on African governments perspective to the drive for intra Africa trade, Zambia's Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga speaking during the ministerial panel discuss of the conference noted that policy alignment among African countries would be critical to unlocking the continent's trade potential.

“Policy is very important in making anything come together. It must be consistent, resilient and coherent. If intra-African trade must be enhanced, we must deliberately craft policies that speak the same language across our countries. We should leverage our comparative advantages, rather than competing with one another,” Mulenga stated.

Also speaking during the session, Ghana's Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ajare, noted that Africa does not lack policy frameworks but rather struggles with harmonised implementation.

“Africa does not lack policies; we already have many. Our challenge is the implementation of these policies in a harmonised manner. That is what we must focus on to make trade work effectively across the continent,” she posited.

Ajare further stressed that countries must be willing to compromise and adopt mutual recognition frameworks to facilitate trade across borders.

“If we insist on verifying every product independently, we will not make progress. Harmonising standards and recognising each other's certification processes will allow us to trade more efficiently,” she added.

Speaking in the same vein, Botswana's Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, noted that African governments must focus on creating enabling environments that allow businesses and investors to drive economic growth.

“The governments of today are not like those of the 1960s where everything was done by government. Our role now is to create an enabling environment for businesses and investors to thrive”.

Ntsima added that Botswana is repositioning itself as a key trade corridor within the region. “In the past we described ourselves as a landlocked country, but today we see ourselves as land-linked. By creating corridors that connect markets across the continent, we open up new opportunities for trade and economic growth,” he noted.

On his final notes, the Access Bank Chief urged stakeholders across the continent to move beyond dialogue and take concrete steps that will strengthen trade relationships among African countries, emphasising that Africa's economic transformation would depend largely on the willingness of businesses and institutions to collaborate more effectively.

“This conference must not end as another talking shop. It must become the birthplace of a movement that contributes to transforming intra-African trade,” he urged.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Access Bank PLC.

Across power and water, there is no shortage of announcements, memoranda and pipeline lists. Yet investors, DFIs and lenders repeatedly describe the same frustration: a large share of project opportunities arrive too early, too thin or too ambiguously structured to move through real due diligence. Developers, in turn, often face a different reality: they are trying to progress projects inside complex permitting environments, uncertain offtake frameworks, misaligned stakeholder expectations and a grid that may not be ready when the project is.

The gap is not ambition. The gap is bankability and decision velocity.

Where deals stall in practice

Most projects do not fail because the technology is unproven. They stall because the fundamentals are not yet ready for capital. In practical terms, the friction points tend to cluster around:

• Revenue certainty: offtake, tariff realism, creditworthiness and enforcement
• Grid access: connection capacity, timelines and the transmission build-out required to make delivery feasible
• Permitting and land: predictable sequencing, timeframes and stakeholder alignment
• Risk allocation: clarity on what sits with the developer, the offtaker, the state and the financiers
• Project preparation maturity: data room readiness, governance, delivery capability and credible timelines
• Country and currency risk: the real cost of hedging, indexation and macro volatility

Africa does not lack projects. It lacks projects that are investable at speed.

What changes when you engineer the conversation

This is the logic behind the Project & Investment Network (P&IN) (https://apo-opa.co/4lo8Sha) at Enlit Africa: to create structured, decision-oriented engagements that help shorten the path from early interest to investable next steps.

In practice, that means designing a deal-making environment around mechanisms rather than marketing. The aim is not to create a “conference meeting calendar”. The aim is to reduce friction and increase the quality of conversations, by ensuring that the right people are in the room with the right level of information and the right intent.

P&IN is built around:

• Structured matchmaking based on investor mandates and project characteristics, not general networking – the business breakfast on 19th May will provide insights into small structural or programmatic shifts and how they can exponentially change focus, delivery and outcomes. Join Bruce Whitfield, award-winning business journalist and best-selling author as we explore the business landscape for power infrastructure.
• Targeted project briefings that focus on mitigating delivery constraints and risk allocation and realistic readiness milestones
• Curated discussions with decision-makers from utilities, government and finance to pressure-test what is required to move projects forward
• A practical emphasis on what happens next: defining the immediate milestones that shift a project towards bankability

Why this matters now

Africa's infrastructure constraints are now delivery constraints. Grid expansion, reliability and industrial growth cannot wait for perfect conditions. Yet capital will only move at scale when opportunities are structured, risks are priced and delivery capability is evident.

P&IN exists to help close that gap by turning project intent into investable conversations and investable conversations into disciplined next steps.

Call to action:

For developers: Apply to present your project (https://apo-opa.co/40tikq6) to investors and DFIs through P&IN
For investors and DFIs: Request the investor pack and participation criteria
For utility and public sector leaders: Participate in decision-focused dialogues (https://apo-opa.co/4deEeEY) on delivery constraints and investment readiness

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4rzRWWx

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About Enlit Africa: 
Enlit Africa brings the top manufacturers, associations, institutions and government leaders together to shape a prosperous energy and water future for Africa. Co-located with Water Security Africa, Project & Investment Network, Utility CEO Forum, Municipal Forum and Women in Energy, Enlit Africa is designed to provide a unique platform to connect decision-makers and determine Africa's future direction of travel.

Enlit Africa will take place from 19 – 21 May 2026 at the CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa. The event is CPD accredited by the SAIEE and SAICE, thereby contributing to the professional development of industry experts.

For more information and to book your pass, visit the Enlit Africa website: https://apo-opa.co/4rzRWWx
For speaking opportunities, contact Claire Volkwyn: Claire.volkwyn@wearevuka.com
For sponsorship and exhibition enquiries, contact Marcel du Toit: marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com

About the event organisers: VUKA Group: 
VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com) connects people and organisations to information and each other, across Africa's energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors through innovative events, content, and strategic networking. By integrating industry introductions, curated events and digital engagement, the group empowers businesses to navigate complex markets, forge valuable connections and drive sustainable success.

Venture partners to The Global Trust Project, Founders of WomenIN empowerment platform and leaders of NPO, Go Green Africa. The VUKA Group's diverse portfolio acts to contribute to its purpose of ‘Connecting Africa to the World's Best, to Influence Sustainable Progress'. Discover more at https://WeAreVUKA.com

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• Global connectedness stood at 25% in 2025, matching the record high first reached in 2022
• Namibia ranks among the top three countries globally for long‑term increases in connectedness since 2001; Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia record strong gains
• The DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026 draws on more than 9 million data points worldwide

Globalization remains at a historically high level – despite escalating geopolitical tensions, rising U.S. tariffs, and unprecedented uncertainty about future trade policies. This is one of the key findings of the DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026 (https://Group.DHL.com), released today by DHL and New York University's Stern School of Business.

Based on more than 9 million data points tracking international flows of trade, capital, information, and people, the report offers the most comprehensive view of globalization available.

Sub‑Saharan Africa: connectedness gains point to rising relevance in global trade

Against this global backdrop, the report presents a nuanced picture for Sub‑Saharan Africa. While levels of connectedness differ significantly across the region, several economies are strengthening their integration into global flows, underscoring steady progress over time, and highlighting scope for further gains in others.

Namibia ranks among the countries with the largest increases in connectedness since 2001, with Mozambique also featuring among the strongest long‑run improvers. More recently, Nigeria and Zambia are listed among the countries with the largest connectedness gains since 2022, reflecting growing momentum in trade, investment and people flows.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub‑Saharan Africa, commented: “As supply chains across the globe continue to develop and trade routes expand into new territories, connectedness is emerging as a key differentiator for businesses and nations alike. The countries in our region that are strengthening their global links are becoming more visible in international trade networks. While this is an encouraging trend in terms of the scope of opportunities available, the key is to take advantage of these opportunities to drive consistent and reliable trade flows. This report further underscores how Africa is increasingly shifting from a narrative of aid to one of trade, a transformation powered by stronger integration, rising competitiveness, and improved access to global markets. To fully unlock this potential, the region needs strong regional connectivity, predictable cross-border processes, and partners that understand both local conditions and global trade requirements. At DHL Express, we are committed to being a catalyst for growth in Africa, ensuring that not only is Africa a part of global trade but a key driver within it.”

Beyond trade and investment, the report finds that people flows have recovered fully from the Covid‑19 collapse. In tourism, UN data show that Africa recorded a 17% increase in international arrivals in 2025 compared with 2019, the second‑largest increase among world regions, behind the Middle East.

In the report's 2024 country ranking of 180 economies, South Africa ranks 53rd overall. Other Sub‑Saharan African countries with relatively higher overall ranks include Seychelles (40th), Mauritius (65th), Namibia (68th), Ghana (97^th), Nigeria (100th), Mozambique (107th), and Kenya (119th).

Globalization has held firm since 2022

The report tracks globalization on a scale from 0% (no cross-border flows) to 100% (borders and distance have no impact). The world's level of globalization was 25% in 2025, in line with the record high set in 2022.

“Globalization is holding its ground – and that alone speaks volumes about its value,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “From poverty to climate change, the world's biggest challenges can only be solved through global thinking. The DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that countries and companies are not retreating behind national borders. That is good news. DHL strengthens global ties by connecting markets, businesses, and people so they can adapt, diversify, and unlock new opportunities – even in uncertain times.”

At the same time, the current level of globalization underlines how far the world remains from being fully globalized. In many areas, international flows could expand further in the absence of policy constraints.

No global split into rival blocs

Even as the U.S. and China decouple, most countries continue to engage with their longstanding partners. Over the past decade, only 4–6% of global goods trade, greenfield FDI, and cross-border M&A have shifted away from geopolitical rivals. Of these flows, most have not moved to close allies but to countries with flexible geopolitical positions, such as India and Vietnam. Overall, the world economy remains far from a broad split into rival blocs.

“The politics and policy surrounding globalization are much more volatile than the actual flows between countries,” said Prof. Steven A. Altman, Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern's Center for the Future of Management. “Global trade patterns changed more in 2025 than they do in a typical year, but less than they did during other recent disruptions such as the early stages of the war in Ukraine. Sound decision-making requires a calibrated view of how much global business ties are really changing. The risks to globalization are real, but so is the resilience of global flows.”

The DHL Global Connectedness Report

Published regularly since 2011, the DHL Global Connectedness Report provides reliable insights on globalization by analyzing 14 types of international trade, capital, information, and people flows. The 2026 edition is based on more than 9 million data points. It ranks the connectedness of 180 countries, accounting for 99.6 percent of global gross domestic product and 99.0 percent of the world's population. A set of 180 one-page country profiles summarizes each country's pattern of globalization.

The report was commissioned by DHL and authored by Steven A. Altman and Caroline R. Bastian of New York University Stern School of Business.

The report and further resources are available at https://apo-opa.co/4diKcod.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Group.

Media Contacts:
DHL Group
Media Relations
Sabine Hartmann
Phone: +49 228 182-9944
E-mail: pressestelle@dhl.com

On the Internet: https://apo-opa.co/4b6zyjc

NYU Stern
Media Relations
Carolyn Ritter
Phone: +1 212 998 0624
E-mail: critter@stern.nyu.edu

Jeffrey Piascik 
Phone: +1 212 998 0906 
E-mail: jpiascik@stern.nyu.edu  

About DHL Group:
DHL Group is the world's leading logistics company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees, investors and green logistics worldwide. To this end, DHL Group is focusing on accelerating sustainable growth in its profitable core logistics businesses and Group growth initiatives. The Group contributes to the world through sustainable business practices, corporate citizenship, and environmental activities. By the year 2050, DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics.

DHL Group is home to two strong brands: DHL offers a comprehensive range of parcel, express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post is the largest postal service provider in Europe and the market leader in the German mail market. DHL Group employs approximately 584,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion Euros in 2025.

The logistics company for the world.

About New York University Stern School of Business:
New York University Stern School of Business, located in the heart of Greenwich Village and deeply connected to the City after which it is named, is one of the United States' premier management education schools and research centers. NYU Stern offers a broad portfolio of transformational programs at graduate, undergraduate, and executive levels, all of them enriched by the dynamism and deep resources of one of the world's business capitals. NYU Stern is a welcoming community that inspires its members to embrace and lead change in a rapidly transforming world. 

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Equatorial Guinea has launched its National Malaria Elimination Strategy – Vision 2030, marking a decisive step in the country's public health agenda. The roadmap builds on two decades of sustained intervention on Bioko Island, reinforcing how partnerships between governments, global health organizations and energy companies can deliver measurable social impact. This next phase of the strategy strives to eradicate malaria nationwide by 2030, with a joint fund of $116 million allocated by government ($52 million) and international partners ($64 million) to achieve this goal.

The launch follows international recognition of the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project, supported for more than two decades by ConocoPhillips and global health partners. ConocoPhillips was recently honored with the Corporate Social Responsibility Project of the Year Award at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in South Africa, acknowledging the Bioko Island project's long-term contribution to malaria reduction, stronger health systems and community well-being in Equatorial Guinea.

“Across Africa, energy producers are demonstrating that development must go hand in hand with social investment. The success of the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project shows how industry partnerships can transform communities. By combining long-term investment, strong government leadership and international collaboration, Equatorial Guinea is proving that Africa's energy sector can drive both economic growth and public health progress,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC).

From Bioko Success to Nationwide Rollout

Since its launch more than two decades ago, the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has delivered measurable improvements in public health across the island. According to figures presented by Mitoha Ondo Ayecaba, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Health, Social Welfare and Health Infrastructure during the launch ceremony, malaria prevalence among children aged 2 to 14 years has fallen by 83%, while transmission rates have declined by 78%. In 2025, malaria prevalence on Bioko reached a historic low of 7.2%, underscoring the sustained impact of prevention programs, surveillance systems and targeted community interventions.

The program has also delivered broader health benefits. Infant mortality among children under five has fallen by 78%, while anemia among pregnant women has been reduced by 77%. At the same time, sustained vector control campaigns have eliminated two of the three primary malaria-transmitting mosquito species on the island.

These achievements have been made possible through long-term collaboration between the Equatorial Guinean government, MCD Global Health and energy sector partners such as ConocoPhillips. Over the past two decades, more than $130 million has been invested into malaria elimination programs on Bioko Island alone. With malaria now at historically low levels on the island, the government is scaling the model nationwide.

A Testament to the Role of Energy Partnerships

The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project is a clear example of how public-private partnerships in the energy sector can unlock more than just energy development. Home to some of the country's biggest energy projects, the island showcases the value of responsible energy investment in strengthening social protection and improving the quality of life across energy-producing countries.

Bioko Island features the Punta Europa facility - a major regional energy hub operated by ConocoPhillips through its subsidiary Marathon E.G. The facility monetizes natural gas from both domestic and regional basins, featuring a 3.7 million-ton-per-annum LNG plant and a methanol plant. A central component of the country's broader Gas Mega Hub strategy, Punta Europa is set to play an even greater role in increasing Equatorial Guinea's energy exports, with a slate of new production sharing and cross-border agreements signed in 2026. ConocoPhillips signed production sharing contracts for offshore Blocks B/4 and EG-27 this year, unlocking $9 billion in capital to feed new volumes into Punta Europa. Equatorial Guinea also recently signed an agreement with Nigeria to develop infrastructure capable of transporting Nigerian gas to the Punta Europa facility, while an agreement signed with Cameroon paves the way for additional volumes.  

As energy activity on Bioko Island continues to grow, the role of industry partnerships in supporting social development is becoming increasingly evident. The National Malaria Elimination Strategy highlights how energy investment can extend beyond infrastructure and production to deliver lasting improvements in public health and community resilience. Achieving the Vision 2030 target would mark a major public health milestone while reinforcing how responsible energy development can support broader progress across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

• Findings were presented at the 2026 Roche Africa Press Day in Nairobi (https://www.Roche.com), which convened journalists from nine African countries with policymakers and health experts
• The event focused on the theme “Health is Wealth,” exploring how investment in women's health can drive economic growth and stronger health system
• Research reveals every dollar invested in innovative breast cancer treatments generates up to USD 12.40 in economic return

Investing strategically in the health of Africa's women will unlock billions of dollars in economic growth, as well as saving lives and strengthening communities, according to speakers at Africa Press Day held in Nairobi on March 4-5.

Convened by healthcare company Roche, the 2026 edition of Africa Press Day gathered journalists from nine African countries, alongside policymakers, economists, health experts, and development finance leaders. They discussed evidence and case studies proving how public private partnerships and strategic investments in health systems, especially in women's health, can build human capital, productive workforces, and resilient economies.

In a keynote address, Kenya's Principal Secretary State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Ouma Oluga, urged media to help shape an informed narrative about improving health: “When a health story is being told, what is most important to portray? Is it what is killing people? Is it the solutions that should stop what is killing people? Or is it the in-between—the administrative, resource, and policy actions that link the two?”  

As African governments increasingly focus on economic diversification and productivity, speakers argued that health investment must be treated as core economic policy — not simply a social expenditure.

Health is Wealth: The Economic Case for Investment 

To demonstrate the returns on investing in women's health, Roche unveiled research (http://apo-opa.co/4b2mjzX) from the WifOR Institute showing how the aggressive form of HER2+ breast cancer (responsible for up to 20% of cases on the continent) caused over USD10 billion in lost productivity across seven African countries (Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia) from 2017-2023.

Nearly 90% of these losses came from women in their prime working years. The research also showed how every dollar invested in innovative cancer treatments can generate up to USD12.40 in economic returns, primarily by restoring women's productivity and allowing for longer healthy working lives.

Maturin Tchoumi, Pharma International Area Head, Roche Africa, said: “Breast cancer is a rising threat to African societies and economies. The evidence clearly shows that investing in women's health is not a cost or a social expense, but a powerful economic driver that underpins productivity, resilience, equity, and sustainable growth across the continent.”

Health Is Equity: Closing the Diagnosis Gap

Extending quality cancer care to all African women, regardless of geography or income, was a key theme of the event. This included closing the gaps in breast cancer screening and early diagnosis that lead to around 77 per cent (http://apo-opa.co/4cFcF7F) of African women being diagnosed in the later stages of the disease when it is much harder - and more expensive - to treat.

H.E. Dorothy Nyong'o, First Lady of Kisumu County, Chair of the Africa Cancer Foundation, and member of the Africa Breast Cancer Council, highlighted Kenya's EMPOWER (http://apo-opa.co/4s7GuCH) initiative for breast and cervical cancer (which delegates visited at a local hospital). It has digitised the patient journey via 76 physical and virtual clinics, speeding up diagnosis and treatment. Since its founding in 2019, EMPOWER has reached over 235,000 women, enabling 3,225 to receive treatment, and been adopted by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya as a nationally integrated platform.

H.E. Dorothy Nyong'o said: “Tackling breast cancer is not just a moral issue; it's a strategic choice. Kenya's EMPOWER initiative highlights how partnership and digital innovation can create a step-change in women's healthcare. It offers a blueprint to other African countries for public-private collaboration that drives systemic, equitable, and lasting change.”

Health is Resilience: Strengthening African Health systems

Throughout the 2026 Africa Press Day, speakers shared details of initiatives that are working to strengthen health systems, including:

• Women's Integrated Care Services (WICs) in Kenya and Côte d'Ivoire, pilot projects that integrate women's cancer services into primary health care for greater efficiency.
• Home grown pandemic preparedness efforts, including sustainable and integrated diagnostic facilities and laboratory networks.
• African-led science – including genomics and local research – that is contributing to African health sovereignty.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Roche.

For more information and interviews:
Najma Adan
Weber Shandwick
E: NAdan@webershandwick.com
T: +44 (0)7483 196 468

About Roche:
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

About Roche Africa:
Improving health is central to fulfilling the immense potential of the continent, yet millions of people continue to face obstacles to accessing the care they need, when they need it. To achieve our vision of a healthier future for all people in Africa, health systems must be able to manage the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and address the persistent, but solvable barriers to diagnosis, treatment and care. We know a one-size-fits-all approach won't work for the unique challenges that each country in Africa faces, and that building the resilient and responsive systems we need will require everyone involved in health to work together.

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The 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report by W Hospitality Group reveals a record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels and resorts. This represents year-on-year growth of 18.6%, or 12.2% on a same-store basis.

While the overall pipeline reflects strong continental expansion, the data show that development activity is increasingly concentrated in a small number of dominant markets. The top ten countries now account for 79% of total pipeline rooms and more than 75% of new signings, reinforcing their growing influence on Africa's hotel development trajectory.

Egypt leads with 45,984 rooms across 185 properties – more than one third of the entire African pipeline and over four times the number in second-placed Morocco, which has 10,606 rooms. Together, Egypt and Morocco account for more than 45% of total pipeline rooms, and their share continues to grow due to the high volume of new signings. Egypt alone recorded 39 new deals last year and anticipates 33 openings in 2026, reinforcing its sustained development momentum.

As Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group comments, “The data clearly show that Africa's hotel development story is being driven by a handful of high-performing markets, with Egypt firmly at the forefront in both signings and projected openings.”

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Top 10 countries by number of rooms

Beyond overall scale, the pipeline status data reveal that execution momentum is currently strongest in East Africa. Ethiopia and Kenya both have nearly 80% of their rooms under construction, closely followed by Tanzania at 77.5%.

This compares with significantly lower proportions of projects under construction in markets such as Nigeria and Cape Verde. While North Africa dominates in overall volume, East Africa is leading in terms of projects actively progressing toward completion and near-term delivery.

As Trevor Ward comments, “What stands out this year is the strength of East Africa in terms of projects moving forward. Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania show some of the highest construction ratios on the continent, which suggests that this is where we are likely to see new supply coming through in the short to medium term.”

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Top 10 countries by pipeline status

At the operator level, development activity remains highly concentrated among a small number of global brands. Marriott International leads with 31,782 rooms, followed by Hilton and Accor, with the Big Five global chains – including IHG and Radisson Hotel Group – accounting for around 80% of all pipeline hotels and rooms across Africa.

Although more than 65,000 rooms are forecast to open in 2026 and 2027, historical actualisation rates suggest delivery may fall short of projections, highlighting the ongoing gap between ambition and execution.

Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2026
Anticipated opening years of pipeline deals

A deeper analysis of these trends – including signings, construction progress and anticipated openings – will be presented at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa, taking place from 31 March to 1 April in Nairobi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).

For queries contact:
Roy Bannister
Head of Strategic Partnerships – Africa, The Bench
roy.bannister@thebench.com

About Future Hospitality Summit Africa:
Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa) is Africa's leading hospitality investment and leadership forum, bringing together senior executives, investors, developers and policymakers to drive sustainable growth and collaboration across the hospitality ecosystem.

The 2026 Summit will take place from 31 March to 1 April at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya.

Learn more at: www.FutureHospitality.com/Africa

Sponsors include:
Host Partner: Westmont Hospitality Group; Strategic Partners: Accor, BWH Hotels, Club Med, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group; Headline Partners: ACT; CityBlue, CHIC, Hansgrohe, KOFISI, QUO, Rotana, Rwanda Development Board, The First Hospitality Group, TUI Hotels & Resorts, Uganda Tourism Board; Partners: Aleph Hospitality, Clique, Gary Greene Design, Knight Frank, Choice Hotels International, STR, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Education Partner: Millat Group; Networking Partner: AIRE, MIC Global Risks, Planet Food & Beverage Consultants, Trianum; Official Carrier: Kenya Airways.

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