Keep Up with Addis Insight
Add us to your Google Preferred Sources to see updates first.
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) has announced plans for a $55 million Hilton Garden Inn development in Addis Ababa, adding 150 rooms and a modern wellness facility to the existing Hilton Addis Ababa compound.
The project is being developed within the property of the historic Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel, which is owned by EIH subsidiary Development & Hotels Company. The existing five-star hotel has 372 rooms, along with conference, leisure, and other hospitality facilities.
According to EIH, the new development is intended to expand Addis Ababa’s accommodation capacity while making greater commercial use of existing assets.
New Hilton hotel to add 150 rooms
The planned hotel will operate under the Hilton Garden Inn brand and will be designed to meet Hilton’s international standards.
The project will also include a modern wellness facility, expanding the range of services available within the existing Hilton compound.
EIH has appointed Elmi Olindo Contractors PLC as the design-and-build contractor, while ZIAS Architecture and Engineering will serve as the project consultant.
Construction is targeted for completion in October 2027.
Project planned ahead of COP32
The development comes as Addis Ababa prepares to host COP32 in November 2027.
The global climate summit is expected to bring government officials, international organizations, business representatives, delegates, and observers to the Ethiopian capital.
The additional hotel rooms and supporting facilities are therefore being developed ahead of an event expected to place additional pressure on Addis Ababa’s hospitality and accommodation infrastructure.
EIH said the project forms part of its broader strategy to optimize its commercial assets and support investment in sectors linked to tourism and economic growth.
Elmi Olindo brings decades of construction experience
Elmi Olindo Contractors PLC has more than eight decades of history in the region.
The company was established in Eritrea in 1937 and expanded into Ethiopia during the mid-1960s. Its assets were nationalized under the Derg regime in 1980 before the company was re-established in 1991.
The Grade-1 general contractor has since worked on several major projects, including Halala Kela, Wonchi Lodge, the ET-302 Memorial Park, and Eagle Hills.
ZIAS Architecture and Engineering, meanwhile, was founded in New York in 2006 and operates a branch in Addis Ababa.
The firm has provided architectural, engineering, construction supervision, and contract administration services for projects involving the U.S. government, Ethiopian government institutions, and private investors across sectors including healthcare, education, and aviation.
Addis Ababa expands its hospitality capacity
The Hilton Garden Inn project adds another major hospitality development to Addis Ababa’s growing accommodation and tourism infrastructure.
With completion scheduled for October 2027, the 150-room hotel is expected to be operational shortly before COP32, potentially adding capacity as the capital prepares for one of its largest international events.
