According to a regional study from Lagos, Nigeria-based W Hospitality Group, Ethiopia is leading hotel development in East Africa. The hotel development pipeline in Ethiopia is up almost 50 percent from last year, with the capital city of Addis Ababa accounting for 86 percent of the total at almost 5,000 rooms in 25 hotels. The cities of Awassa, Bahir Dar, Bishoftu, Gondar, Hawassa and Langano also are planning expansion. The study credits government incentives as well as international conferences and “global bases for [nongovernmental organizations], embassies and aid agencies” for the hotel growth in the city.

Beyond Ethiopia, Kenya has 2,754 rooms under construction, and Tanzania also has seen increased interest from developers.

Of global brands eyeing the region, Paris-based AccorHotels has doubled the number of hotels in its development pipeline in East Africa, with a 66-percent increase in the number of rooms signed.