Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast

In this podcast, Matthew Weihs hosts Jameel Verjee, CEO of City Blue Hotels, and Claire Van Enk, founder of Farm to Feed, exploring their innovative partnership in tackling food waste and promoting sustainability across Africa. Claire introduces Farm to Feed's mission as a B2B marketplace for surplus produce, addressing significant food loss issues in Kenya. Jamil discusses City Blue Hotels' commitment to sustainability and their synergistic collaboration with Farm to Feed to integrate these practices into hospitality operations across East and West Africa. Together, they highlight their tech-driven approach, strategic expansion plans, and shared vision to transform food supply chains while driving positive environmental and economic impact in the region.

In this episode of the AHIF podcast, Wayne Godwin, co-CEO of JLL in Africa, provides a comprehensive overview of the hospitality investment landscape in Africa. He discusses the significant surge in transaction activity, surpassing 2019 levels, and highlights the growing interest in leisure properties across the continent. Wayne explores the opportunities and challenges facing investors, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in navigating the market. From the impact of COVID-19 on development costs to the rise of branded residences, Wayne offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for unlocking Africa's hospitality potential.

This episode of the AHIF podcast features Erwan Garnier, Development Director for Africa at Radisson Hotel Group. Erwan discusses Radisson's extensive presence across the continent, with over 100 hotels operational or under development in 32 African countries. He highlights their strategic focus on key markets like Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, while also pursuing opportunities in emerging markets.

Erwan emphasizes the growing demand for serviced apartments and resorts alongside traditional business hotels. He underscores the importance of thorough due diligence, with a focus on realistic project costing and financing plans, to ensure successful project execution.

A key takeaway is the significant impact of government stability on investor confidence and project financing. Erwan concludes by emphasizing the importance of a stable political environment for attracting investment and propelling the growth of Africa's hospitality sector.

In this AHIF podcast episode, Matthew Weihs sits down with Wesam Okasha, Managing Director of TUI Blue, to delve into the brand's remarkable journey since its establishment in 2016. Okasha sheds light on TUI Blue's ambitious growth targets, surpassing expectations by opening 97 hotels in their initial three years. He discusses their strategic expansion into new markets, including Africa and Asia, highlighting their innovative approach to delivering authentic holiday experiences. Furthermore, Okasha emphasizes TUI Blue's unwavering commitment to sustainability, detailing their initiatives to reduce environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices across their properties. The conversation also touches upon TUI Blue's upcoming luxury property in Zanzibar, offering a glimpse into its unique offerings and contribution to the evolving hospitality landscape.

Discussion with Wytze van den Berk, VP of International Operations for BWH, highlighting BWH's growth post-acquisition of World Hotels, expansion plans in Africa, diverse brand portfolio, and opportunities and challenges in the African market.

In the latest episode of the AHIF podcast, Matthew Weihs and Trevor Ward delve into the intricacies of Africa's hospitality market. With a focus on the annual Hotel Chain Development in Africa pipeline report, they explore the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the continent's hotel industry. From the surge in resort developments to the impact of currency devaluation on project viability, this conversation offers valuable insights for investors and industry players alike.

In this episode of the AHIF podcast, Rahul Chaudhary, MD and CEO of CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Holdings, shares insights on the remarkable growth and strategic ventures of CG Global over the past two years. From expanding into emerging markets like Nepal and Sri Lanka to venturing into the automobile industry, Rahul highlights the group's dynamic approach to investment. Furthermore, he emphasizes the significance of wellness tourism and the group's plans for expansion in this sector.

In this episode of the AHIF podcast, Michael Aldridge, the Founder and CEO of Kofisi, shares profound insights into the dynamic world of shared workspaces. The conversation unfolds the strategic growth of Kofisi, fueled by a unique blend of hospitality and co-working principles. Aldridge sheds light on the sustainability practices embedded within Kofisi's operations and highlights the pivotal role of technology in enhancing the workspace experience. The discussion moves onto Kofisi's expansion strategy in Africa, exploring the untapped potential of the shared workspace sector on the continent. With a focus on well-being and service standards, Aldridge provides a comprehensive view of the evolving trends in the workspace industry. 

Thomas Emanuel, Senior Director at STR, shares invaluable insights in this insightful podcast. The episode examines the recovery dynamics of the continent's diverse markets, presenting key statistics that underscore the robust resurgence of Africa's hotel industry. From dissecting occupancy and average rates trends to spotlighting exceptional performances in cities such as Lagos, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi, the discussion offers a nuanced perspective. Gain strategic insights into the interplay of domestic and international demand, the pivotal role of connectivity, and the promising trajectories of pivotal markets. This podcast serves as an invaluable resource, providing a panoramic view of the nuanced nuances shaping Africa's hospitality renaissance.

Suhail Bhatia, Director of Asset Management, shares the inception of CHIC, highlighting its commitment to bringing world-class accommodation to a region hungry for quality. Dive into the challenges and triumphs of simultaneously developing five state-of-the-art hotels, fueled by a vision for sustainable growth. Explore the strategic partnerships, including the game-changing collaboration with Accor, and discover how CHIC is revolutionizing the hospitality landscape with innovative technology like digital keys. From boosting local economies to pioneering future-ready solutions, CHIC's story is a testament to the golden era of opportunities unfolding in Africa.