Rotana to open first five-star hotel...

Mogadishu Rotana to open in 2026 under Riverside Holding partnership

The UAE’s Rotana hotel company has announced plans to launch Mogadishu Rotana, the first luxury hotel in Somalia.

In partnership with Riverside Holding, the five-star property, with 261 guest rooms and 60 hotel apartments, is due for completion in 2026. It is intended to become a landmark destination as part of the city’s transformation.

Located near Aden Adde International Airport, the development will also feature a convention centre, hospital, shopping mall, school, business park and residential property.

The hotel will be managed by Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality, who will bring a decade of African experience.

“This project aspires to set a new benchmark for luxury and service in East Africa,” said Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana.

“Our primary goal is to position the country’s first five-star hotel as a hub for international business, tourism and cultural exchange. By leveraging Rotana’s expertise in delivering world-class service excellence, we hope to drive Somalia’s revitalisation through a transformation of its hospitality landscape.”

The new property will be Rotana’s 118th in the region, with a strong pipeline in Africa that includes Accra, Cotonou, Cairo and Luxor.

Jibril Hassan Mohamed, Chairman of Riverside Holding, said partnering with Rotana was a significant milestone for Somalia's hospitality sector.

“This alliance brings world-class expertise to our development and underscores our commitment to Mogadishu's economic and cultural renaissance,” said Mohamed.

Rotana operates 81 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, serving more than six million guests a year.

For more, visit www.rotana.com

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