Aleph Hospitality signs nine hotels with over 1,300 keys year to date
New agreements across six countries take Aleph Hospitality closer to its target of managing 100 hotels by 2029.
Future Hospitality Summit — FHS World, Dubai, 30 September 2026 — Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has secured 1,330 keys so far this year, across nine properties in six countries.
With a portfolio of more than 50 hotels in 38 cities across 24 countries, representing over 7,000 keys, Aleph Hospitality is on track to reach its target of managing 100 hotels by the end of 2029.
Nine Signings Across Six Countries
In Nigeria, Aleph Hospitality signed management agreements with the Akwa Ibom State Government for the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, the Arise Palm Resort and the Ibom International Hotel and Convention Centre — 483 keys in total. In July it signed the 200-key Crowne Plaza Multan, its first hotel in Pakistan, due to open in 2028. Also in July, the company took over the 279-key Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan in Dubai, its third property for West F5 Investments, and in January it signed the 101-key Best Western Premier Royal Golf View in Kigali, its third hotel in Rwanda. Three further agreements were signed during the year: the 118-key Wimby Resort, a five-star resort in Tanzania, and two additions to the Onomo portfolio in Ivory Coast, the 96-key Onomo Angre in Abidjan and the 53-key Onomo Allure Koa Lodge, both signed on top of the 26-hotel agreement concluded with African Hotel Development in 2025.
The 2026 Signings
| Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Arise Palm Resort & Ibom International Hotel and Convention Centre | Nigeria — 483 keys combined, with the Akwa Ibom State Government |
| Crowne Plaza Multan | Pakistan — 200 keys, first hotel in the country, opening 2028 |
| Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan | Dubai — 279 keys, third property for West F5 Investments |
| Best Western Premier Royal Golf View | Kigali, Rwanda — 101 keys, third hotel in Rwanda |
| Wimby Resort | Tanzania — 118 keys, five-star resort |
| Onomo Angre | Abidjan, Ivory Coast — 96 keys |
| Onomo Allure Koa Lodge | Ivory Coast — 53 keys |
A Shift in African Hotel Contracting
Aleph Hospitality attributes the year’s activity to entering markets ahead of wider operator interest, a flexible and tailored-to-fit management approach, and strengthened decision-making in the regions. The growth in Africa also marks a change in deal structure: more owners are pairing an international brand franchise agreement with a credible, independent operator running day-to-day operations, in place of a management agreement under which the chain runs the hotel.
“More than 1,300 keys in nine months is the visible part. Underneath it is a management model which adjusts to owners’ assets, whether it is a repositioning, a transition or a pre-opening, and regional teams who know the market inside out. We have also seen a structural shift in African hotel contracting, and our forthcoming report with W Hospitality Group quantifies how franchised projects in the African pipeline have risen from 40 in 2020 to 146 this year.”
— Neil George, Partner and Co-CEO, Aleph Hospitality
A Growing Executive Team
The executive team has grown with the portfolio. Abdellah Essonni joined in April as Regional Vice President, North Africa, based in Casablanca, and Rob Kucera was appointed Regional Vice President, East & South Africa, in August, based in Cape Town. At the head office in Dubai, Aline Barhouche joined as Chief HR Officer and Marc Matar as Vice President, Food & Beverage, with Estelle Chambost promoted to Vice President, Learning & Development.
By the Numbers
1,330 keys signed year to date · nine properties · six countries · more than 50 hotels in 38 cities across 24 countries · over 7,000 keys · target of 100 hotels by the end of 2029.
Discover more stories
Browse the full library of Talk in Arabia articles, guides and videos.