Cameroon Hotels Corporation, the state-owned company that owns the Hilton Yaoundé, is moving forward with plans to develop a new 5-star beach resort in the coastal city of Kribi.
According to a notice published May 8, the company extended until June 9 the deadline for international firms to apply for a preselection process aimed at choosing architects for the project.
The procedure concerns the design of a luxury hotel complex planned for Idolo, a coastal area near Kribi.
The project represents one of the first major steps in CHC’s broader effort to expand beyond its flagship Hilton property in Yaoundé.
CHC Bets on Kribi’s Growth
According to information released by the company, the future resort is expected to target both leisure and business travelers, including visitors from across Central Africa.
CHC says the project is designed as a full-service 5-star resort offering a wider range of tourism and hospitality activities.
The company’s strategy is closely tied to Kribi’s economic transformation over recent years.
The city has emerged as one of Cameroon’s main growth hubs thanks to the expansion of its deep-sea port, industrial projects and growing tourism sector.
CHC believes Kribi’s dual role as both an industrial center and beach destination could support demand for upscale hospitality services.
At this stage, no international hotel brand has officially been linked to the project.
Still, industry observers note that Hilton could eventually expand its partnership with CHC if the project moves forward.
The American hotel group already operates the Hilton Yaoundé and has also been linked since 2021 to a planned DoubleTree by Hilton project in Douala.
Part of a Broader CHC Restructuring Plan
The Kribi resort project comes as CHC also pursues a wider restructuring and modernization program for its existing assets.
According to information reviewed by Investir au Cameroun, the company recently selected a consortium including Attijari Securities Central Africa, AFG Capital and Financia Capital to help structure financing for the renovation of the Hilton Yaoundé and its adjoining shopping center.
Based on financial details tied to the contract award, the renovation project is estimated at around CFA25 billion.
The Kribi development therefore appears to be part of a broader strategy aimed at repositioning CHC’s portfolio and expanding Cameroon’s presence in the premium hotel market.
The company also occupies a strategic role in the government’s broader state asset reform agenda.
CHC, which is 95.6% owned by the state, is among the companies expected to eventually list on the Central African Stock Exchange, known as Bvmac.
More broadly, the project reflects growing interest in Cameroon’s high-end hospitality sector, long dominated by the Hilton Yaoundé but now gradually diversifying as investment increases in cities such as Douala and tourist destinations like Kribi.
Amina Malloum
