Thursday, October 2, 2025
Home Blog Page 1192

Radisson Hotel Group bolsters African presence with 7 additional hotels and over 1,200 new rooms including a landmark entry in Tanzania

0

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) is delighted to announce the addition of seven new hotels, adding over 1,200 hotel rooms to its African portfolio and its debut in Tanzania within the first half of 2024. With those additions, the Group’s footprint in Africa has grown to nearly 100 hotels in operation and development, placing the Group well on track to reach its goal of 150 hotels within the next five years. 

Tanzania has been identified as a key market in the Group’s proactive expansion strategy, making its debut in the country with two hotel signings. This addition enhances the Group’s diverse African portfolio, spanning across 30 countries, further establishing it as the hotel company with the largest market presence in Africa.

In Nigeria, Radisson Hotel Group continues to hold a leading position with a portfolio of 13 hotels in operation and under development, including five new hotels signed in 2023. The new signing of the Radisson RED Hotel Abuja has further bolstered the Group’s presence in the city, bringing the total number of hotels under development in Abuja to four.

In Morocco, the Group has pursued the same efforts with a clear transformation plan, growing its presence from 1 hotel in 2020 to over 9 hotels in operation and 4 hotels in development today. Casablanca represents a strategic hub among multiple continents and the new signing of Radisson Blu Hotel&Apartments Casablanca Finance City and Radisson RED Hotel Casablanca Finance City solidifies the Group’s ambitions to reach over 25 hotels by 2030 across the country.

Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa and Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group, said, “The seven new hotels align with our expansion strategy, demonstrating significant growth in key African markets such as Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Ethiopia as well as our highly anticipated debut in Tanzania. These hotels also highlight our conversion strategy and our commitment to diversifying our portfolio by introducing new brands and cementing our presence in these important markets.”

The six hotel signings include:

Radisson Blu Hotel&Apartments, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Marking Radisson Hotel Group’s debut in Tanzania, this 138-room hotel, featuring 94 guestrooms and 44 three-bedroom apartments, is set to open in 2025 as part of a mixed-use development in Dar es Salaam’s CBD. The hotel will occupy the top 14 floors of a 33-floor tower, one of the tallest buildings in the area, and is within walking distance of the ferry terminal to Zanzibar Island.

The hotel will offer a diverse array of dining facilities, including a lobby café, business class lounge, all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurant, outdoor pool, and pool restaurant. Additional amenities include retail stores, a ladies’ salon, indoor parking, a gym, steam room and sauna, kids’ playroom, and eight meeting rooms.

Radisson Hotel Mwanza (Tanzania)

Supporting a strong market entry, this 196-room hotel, currently under construction, will debut the Radisson brand in Tanzania in 2025. Mwanza, Tanzania’s second-largest city, is renowned for corporate meetings and events and is the ideal starting point for tours to the Serengeti National Park. As the only branded hotel in Mwanza, it will feature a lobby café and bar, all-day dining restaurant, sports bar, outdoor pool bar, executive lounge, and two specialty restaurants, Balaustine, a ‘casual-fine dining’ experience inspired by the Barbary coast and the Levant and Filini, offering a delectable dining experience of fresh, simple, and delicious Italian-style cuisine.

The meetings and events space includes a triple-height ballroom, business center, boardrooms, and a conference room. The extensive wellness facilities will include a gym, spa, outdoor pool, and kids’ playground.

Radisson Blu Hotel&Apartments, Casablanca Finance City and Radisson RED Casablanca Finance City (Morocco)

Enhancing the Group’s Moroccan portfolio, which currently includes 11 hotels in operation and under development, is the addition of new two dual-branded hotels and a serviced apartment. These new builds, including the first Radisson RED hotel in North Africa will feature a total of 381 rooms, are set to open in late 2027. They will be located in Casa Anfa, at the heart of Casablanca Finance City, the city’s new financial hub, recognized as Africa’s leading financial center, on par with London and La Défense in Paris.

Providing guests with an array of dining and wellness facilities for an ideal stay, the Radisson Blu will offer guests an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty rooftop restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Meanwhile, the Radisson RED hotel, will feature a restaurant and a pool bar. The Radisson Blu’s wellness facilities will include a spa, a fitness center, and an outdoor rooftop swimming pool. The Radisson RED will also provide a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and an outdoor rooftop swimming pool.

For meetings and events, in addition to the five meeting rooms at the Radisson Blu, there will be a 1,100-square-meter conference center comprising an auditorium, large ballroom and three meeting rooms, making the complex the future meeting destination.

Radisson Blu Hotel&Conference Center, Tunis (Tunisia)

This 305-room hotel, a conversion of an existing property, will soon debut the Radisson Blu brand in Tunis, complementing the Group’s footprint in Tunisia as its seventh hotel in the country and fourth in Tunis. Located just 10 minutes from the airport, the hotel will feature dining outlets such as a lobby bar, shisha bar, all-day dining restaurant, and three specialty restaurants.

The expansive convention center will include multiple meeting rooms, boardrooms, a VIP room, an executive lounge, a business center, and a 1,400 sqm ballroom, making it the largest conference center in the city.

Radisson RED Abuja (Nigeria)

The new-build 105-room hotel, set to open in 2028, will be Radisson Hotel Group’s 13th property in Nigeria and the second Radisson RED in the country, introducing the upper upscale brand to Abuja. Located in Wuse, Abuja’s main commercial and social district, the hotel will be surrounded by corporate offices, popular estates, shopping malls, and nightlife venues. The hotel will feature a bar and terrace, an all-day dining restaurant, and a pool bar and grill. It will also offer 238 square meters of meeting space, including three meeting rooms and a pre-function area, as well as a fitness facility.

Park Inn by Radisson Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Scheduled to open in 2025, this 120-room hotel will be the Group’s third hotel in Ethiopia, all located in Addis Ababa and introduce the Park Inn by Radisson brand to the country. Dining options will include a breakfast hall, restaurant hall, coffee shop, and four soft drink bars. The meeting and events space will consist of a large and medium conference room and four meeting rooms. Guests can also enjoy two gyms, a spa, business center, sport facilities, kids’ entertainment area, retail space, and co-working space.

Since 2022, the Group has opened 14 hotels, including the debut of the Radisson brand in Morocco and Tunis with Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle and Radisson Hotel Tunis City Center, solidifying its position as the largest hotel operator in Tunisia. The openings have diversified the Group’s portfolio with the first safari hotel in Africa, Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, the first resort in Livingstone, Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya, and the debut in Reunion Island with Radisson Hotel Saint Denis. This achievement has set a record for the Group in terms of realizing its pipeline into openings, translating into a commendable 15 percent annual net operating growth in its African portfolio.

“With a strong first half of the year, we plan to continue the momentum in the second half by focusing on expanding our presence in key markets such as Morocco and South Africa, where we’ve recently announced our ambition to reach 25 hotels by 2030, doubling the portfolio in both countries. We thank each of our partners for their valued trust in us and our brands,” concluded Rankoussi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Media Contacts: 
Saadiyah Hendricks,

Area Director PR&Social Media,
MEA&MED
saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com

Business Development Contacts:
Ramsay Rankoussi,
Vice President,
Development,
Africa&Turkey
ramsay.rankoussi@radissonhotels.com

Social Media:
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP

LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3RGdsK6
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/3RIpWki
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4cuDKrj
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3zeAnWy
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4ccnECn
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2bv

RADISSON BLU
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3RGdsK6
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4eFgQ1y 
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4cuDKrj
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3RJgey9
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/3RJg9KR
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2bv

RADISSON
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3RGdsK6
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4ew0qJ3 
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4cuDKrj
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3RJoT3H
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4eus88S
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2bv

RADISSON RED
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3RGdsK6
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4ew0qJ3red
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4cuDKrj
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3RJoT3Hred
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4ccnECn 
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2bv 

PARK INN BY RADISSON
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3RGdsK6
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4eyxGzb
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4cuDKrj
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/4chcQCQ
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4ccnECn
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2bv

RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
Radisson Hotel Group is an international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with over 1,360 hotels in operation and under development in +95 countries. The international hotel group is rapidly expanding with a plan to significantly grow the portfolio. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.

The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

Radisson Rewards (http://apo-opa.co/4ceYa7h) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Radisson Meetings (http://apo-opa.co/4eBPDwK) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.

At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet (http://apo-opa.co/3RGR2s1) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved near-term Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

For more information, visit our corporate website (www.RadissonHotels.com). 

ABOUT RADISSON BLU
Radisson Blu is an upper upscale hotel brand that delivers meaningful and memorable experiences in stylish spaces. Characterized by attention to detail and the Yes I Can! service philosophy, Radisson Blu hotels are designed to make an unforgettable difference by anticipating travelers’ needs through carefully curated touchpoints  . Radisson Blu hotels can be found in major cities, key airport gateways, and leisure destinations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson Blu by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Radisson Blu is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

For reservations and more information, visit our website: http://apo-opa.co/3RDLte0

ABOUT RADISSON
Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian inspired hospitality, which enables guests to find more harmony in their travel experience. With natural surroundings and unexpected delights, Radisson inspires the art of being in the moment, helping guests find the right balance for their stay and enabling them to switch off and relax. Radisson hotels can be found in leisure destinations, suburban and city settings, and near airports. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Radisson is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

For reservations and more information, visit our website: http://apo-opa.co/3RGuDuY

ABOUT RADISSON RED
Radisson RED is an upper upscale hotel brand that presents a playful twist on the conventional. The brand injects new life into hospitality through informal services where anything goes, a vibrant social scene that’s waiting to be shared and stylish public spaces with standout design to inspire our guests. Radisson RED hotels are designed to fit the needs of our guests by giving them endless opportunities to tune in and out, switching effortlessly between business and pleasure. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson RED by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Radisson RED is a part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

For reservations and more information, visit our website: http://apo-opa.co/3RGNjuM.

ABOUT PARK INN BY RADISSON
Park Inn by Radisson is a (upper) midscale hotel brand that delivers stress-free experiences, good food and upbeat environments. Mastering the essentials, Park Inn by Radisson positively lifts our guests’ mood for a happy stay – through clever use of color; inspired, contemporary design; and friendly personalized service with surprising, feel-good extras. Park Inn by Radisson hotels can be found in capital cities, around economic hubs, and near airports and railway stations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Park Inn by Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.

Park Inn by Radisson is a part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.

For reservations and more information visit our website: http://apo-opa.co/3RI0v2B.

Sudan: Council lists 6 individuals for undermining stability and political transition

0

The Council adopted restrictive measures today against six individuals responsible for activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan, where fighting is still ongoing between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their respective affiliated militias.

On the RSF side, the new listings include Abdulrahman Juma Barakallah, a General commanding the RSF in West Darfur who is responsible for committing atrocities and other abuses, instigating ethnically motivated killings, targeted attacks on human rights activists and defenders, conflict-related sexual violence, and the looting and burning of communities. They also include the RSF’ financial adviser, as well as a prominent tribal leader of the Mahamid clan affiliated with the RSF in West Darfur.

On the SAF side, sanctions target the Director General of Defense Industry System (DIS), a company already sanctioned by the EU, and the Commander of the Sudanese Air Force, El Tahir Mohamed El Awad El Amin, for their responsibility in the indiscriminate aerial bombing of densely populated residential areas since the beginning of the conflict. Ali Ahmed Karti Mohamed, a former Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Government of Omar al-Bashir is also listed.

Those targeted are subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition on the provision of funds or economic resources to them, directly or indirectly. Additionally, they are subject to travel bans in the European Union.

Restrictive measures under the Sudan sanctions regime now apply to a total of six individuals and six entities.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

On 22 January 2024, the Council adopted a first set of restrictive measures against six entities of the SAF and the RSF responsible for supporting activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

On 12 April 2024, the High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the EU on the one-year mark of the war between the SAF and the RSF, appealing to the warring parties for an immediate and durable ceasefire, and reminding them of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. The EU stated that it was ready to continue to use its tools in order to contribute to ending the armed conflict, discouraging the obstruction of humanitarian assistance and halting the culture of impunity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Council of the European Union.

Walking arm in arm towards a more inclusive future where everyone can access sexual and reproductive health

0

On the outskirts of Dar es Salaam lies a colourful oasis, one where sign language is spoken across the schoolyard and students are adept at assisting one another. Two students, Amir and Lisa, walk arm in arm. Amir  provides guidance to Lisa, who walks confidently with her mobility cane towards the queue to the chai.

At Yombo Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre for Youth with Disabilities, no one is left behind.

Lisa explains how Yombo became an opportunity for her to complete her education, despite her impaired vision. Before attending Yombo, she completed Form Four but was not allowed to continue with her education. She stayed at home in an environment where discrimination and bullies – ‘kipofu’ – were a part of her everyday life.

Lisa dreams of applying her gardening skills in the agricultural sector. At Yombo, she has learned how to grow vegetables and plants – and that it can be done with a mobility cane in hand. Amir describes how Yombo has fostered his dream of becoming a businessman. At Yombo, he helps run the chicken farm and to date, he has sold over 900 chickens. 

UNFPA’s vision is to leave no one behind. We are working to create a world where everyone has access to sexual and reproductive health and rights – with an emphasis on everyone. Yombo, under the Prime Minister’s Office for Labour, Employment, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in Tanzania, is a shining example of this vision.

To the students, Yombo is more than an educational institution – it is a safe space, one where they feel protected from the rejection and discrimination they often face in their communities. The centre fosters an inclusivity that enables them to make new friends, access rehabilitation programmes, and receive educational, life skills and vocational training in trades and professions that can support them inside and outside the centre.

Training in agriculture and livestock-keeping is one of the courses on the Yombo curriculum. Other courses include welding, tailoring and masonry skills. The training empowers and promotes independence for the students, ensuring that those with disabilities fully enjoy the rights and choices to which they are entitled.

Inclusion is at the heart of Yombo. What also lies at its centre is a health facility. As part of UNFPA’s Safeguarding Young People programme, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, UNFPA procured medical equipment and supplies, and refurbished the facility’s waiting lounge. This way, the students of Yombo  are sheltered from the baking sun as they wait to receive health services.

The easy access to health services and medicine has enabled them to receive timely and appropriate medical care, and referrals where necessary. In addition to the students at Yombo, the health facility serves two wards (Kiwalani and Minazi mirefu) with a population catchment area of about 16,000. 

Yombo is a step towards a more inclusive future. Just like Amir and Lisa, walking arm in arm, UNFPA and our partners continue to take these steps together, to leave no one behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.

European Peace Facility: Council adopts the first ever assistance measure in support of Kenya Defence Forces

0

The Council today adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €20 million. Its objective is to enhance the operational capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and its civilian population against internal and external threats. The assistance measure will also contribute to securing border areas and countering increased al-Shabaab’s operations along the border with Somalia.

Concretely, the European Peace Facility will finance equipment and related supplies and services, including technical training where needed. More specifically, the Kenya Army infantry combat units and their related combat support and combat service support units will receive tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, non-lethal interceptors and jammers, systems to defeat improvised explosive devices, electronic warfare means, cross-country tactical military-type vehicles, and a mobile medical post. In addition to that, to support the Kenya Navy’s efforts, naval marine units will be equipped with night vision goggles, life vests, and specific personal protective equipment.

This support is a concrete deliverable of the joint Security and Defence consultations held under the EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue. By investing in the capacities and capabilities of its Defence Forces, the EU reaffirms its support to Kenya as a pillar of peace and stability in the region.

Background

The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the common foreign and security policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Council of the European Union.