By Nkiruka Nnorom

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, and Shoreline Group, a Pan-African Energy and Infrastructure Investment group have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.

The signing took place during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 hosted jointly by Kenya and France in Nairobi.

The ambitious partnership is set to make a significant contribution to the evolving Nigerian hospitality landscape with a substantial $300 million investment from Shoreline, leveraging Accor’s renowned brand portfolio and expertise.

The strategic collaboration aims to develop a hotel network across Nigeria, encompassing 10 hotels across eight cities and over 1,200 rooms by 2030. The properties will span various segments, from midscale to luxury, catering to diverse travelers and contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism growth.

The project also includes the establishment of a dedicated hospitality training Academy to nurture local talent and create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.

Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Shoreline Group to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This partnership is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s dynamic future. By combining Shoreline’s deep understanding of the local market with Accor’s global expertise and diverse brand portfolio, we are poised to create an unparalleled hospitality offering that will set new benchmarks for quality and service.

“Crucially, the establishment of the Accor Academy is integral to this vision, enabling us to deliver immediate talent development for the Shoreline hotel portfolio, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Nigeria through dedicated training facilities, and solidify Accor’s position as the employer and educator of choice in West Africa.”

Mr. Kola Karim, Chairman of Shoreline Group, commented: “This partnership is central to Shoreline’s strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa. We anticipate hospitality infrastructure becoming increasingly vital for capital movement and development, particularly in Nigeria where high-quality room supply is underserved.

“Our choice to partner with Accor highlights our focus on operational excellence and long-term value. The hospitality academy is crucial, alongside physical hotels, for developing local talent to sustain international standards. It will support our portfolio and enhance Nigeria’s hospitality workforce.

“This investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader focus on strategic assets in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. We view hospitality as a natural extension: real infrastructure supporting economic activity, local capability, and national growth.”