Protea Hotel Expands Presence in Nigeria with New Openings
The South African hotel group Protea has reinforced its footprint on the African continent with the recent openings of new hotels in Nigeria and Zambia.
In Nigeria, the Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta has launched just 15 minutes from Osubi Airport, in Warri.
The new establishment boasts 69 well-appointed rooms and three expansive conference rooms, catering to the increasing demand from local businesses for corporate events and meetings.
The expansion comes as a response to Nigeria’s growing hospitality market, driven by increased business activities and the need for quality accommodations in key economic areas.
The new hotel in Nigeria joins the Protea Hotel by Marriott Lusaka International Airport in Zambia, which also opened recently.
The hotel features 72 rooms and offers an inclusive airport shuttle service, making it convenient for travellers flying in and out of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Protea Hotels has firmly established itself as a major player across Africa, with over 60 hotels in nine countries.
Originally founded in South Africa, the group has expanded to include properties in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Zambia.
The hotel group was recognized as the largest hotel company in Africa over a decade ago and continues to build on this foundation.
In 2014, Protea was acquired by Marriott International for $186 million, which helped bolster its growth across the continent.
Since the acquisition, the brand has maintained its unique identity while benefiting from the global reach and resources of Marriott.
The affiliation was solidified with the addition of “by Marriott” to the Protea brand name, emphasizing its place within the Marriott portfolio.
The year 2024 has been particularly fruitful for Protea, with the summer opening of a new 203-room hotel in Hatfield, Pretoria, and the launch of Protea by Marriott Luanda in Angola.
Looking ahead, the group has an ambitious pipeline, with several new projects slated for the coming years.
Among these are the Protea by Marriott Zanzibar Stone Town, set to open by the end of 2024 after refurbishment, and the Protea Hotel by Marriott Bahir Dar in Ethiopia, launching in 2025 after the rebranding of the existing Blue Nile Resort.
Further down the line, Protea will continue its expansion with the Protea Hotel by Marriott Serowe in Botswana, expected to open in 2026, and another Nigerian hotel, the Protea Hotel by Marriott Abuja Jahi, scheduled to launch in 2027.
The hotel will be operated under a franchise agreement with Gold Reef Hotel Limited and managed by BON Hospitality West Africa.
In addition to expanding Protea’s presence, Marriott International is actively pursuing growth across Africa with a range of its other brands.
Upcoming projects include Moxy, W, and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Cairo, as well as Renaissance and executive apartments in Lagos, and JW Marriott properties in Kinshasa and Tanzania.
As Protea Hotels continues to grow its presence in Nigeria and beyond, the brand says it remains committed to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences, helping to elevate the standard of accommodations available to travellers across the continent.
