African Hotel Development entrusts Aleph Hospitality with management of 26 Onomo Hotels across 14 African countries

AFRICA – African Hotel Development, a leading African lifestyle hotel group, real estate developer, and owner of the Onomo brand, has entered into a landmark agreement with Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality to manage 26 Onomo-branded hotels spread across 14 countries on the continent.

This strategic partnership, effective from September 1, 2025, represents the largest hotel management portfolio deal in Africa’s history and aligns closely with African Hotel Development’s ongoing business realignment strategy.

By appointing Aleph Hospitality as the operator of its extensive hotel portfolio, African Hotel Development aims to sharpen its focus on brand development and asset management while accelerating the expansion of Onomo’s footprint.

The company’s objective is to double the brand’s scale within the next five years, particularly emphasizing premiumization through its upscale offerings, Onomo Allure and Onomo Collection.

Julien Renaud, CEO of African Hotel Development, highlighted that this move reflects a deliberate decision to separate hotel operations from ownership and brand development, allowing greater strategic control and fostering faster growth.

For Aleph Hospitality, this transaction marks a significant milestone, effectively doubling its portfolio and enabling the company to reach its goal of managing 50 hotels by the end of 2025.

The deal cements Aleph’s position as the leading independent hotel management company across the Middle East and Africa.

Founder and Managing Director Bani Haddad emphasized that the partnership will enhance operational scale and efficiency across diverse markets, reinforcing Aleph’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to guests, owners, teams, and partners.

The collaboration will see Aleph Hospitality strengthen its presence in over ten African countries, supported by the establishment of four new regional offices and the rollout of cluster operations in key markets, including Kenya and Morocco where Aleph already maintains a foothold.

This on-the-ground approach underscores Aleph’s philosophy of active, locally embedded management rather than remote oversight.

Africa’s hospitality sector remains one of the most dynamic and promising globally, and this partnership positions both companies to capitalize on the continent’s growth trajectory.

African Hotel Development continues to expand its portfolio, with five new hotels slated to open before the end of 2025, while Aleph Hospitality prepares to open new properties, including one in Kigali, Rwanda, in the coming weeks.

This strategic alliance exemplifies a forward-looking approach to hotel management and development in Africa, combining African Hotel Development’s strong brand ownership with Aleph Hospitality’s operational expertise to foster sustainable growth and premium guest experiences across the continent.

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