Rotana has revealed plans for Mogadishu Rotana, set to be the first luxury hotel in the country. The five-star property, a collaboration with local conglomerate Riverside Holding, is scheduled for completion in 2026 and will be managed by Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality.
Located close to Aden Adde International Airport, Mogadishu Rotana will boast 321 keys, comprising 261 guest rooms and 60 hotel apartments. The hotel’s design is expected to blend modern sophistication with local cultural influences, offering guests amenities that include a fitness center, spa, multiple dining outlets, event facilities, and retail spaces. According to Rotana, these features will set a new standard of luxury within Somalia.
Speaking about the new venture, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, expressed enthusiasm for the brand’s first foray into Somalia. “This project aspires to set a new benchmark for luxury and service in East Africa, and we are immensely proud to be part of it,” Barnes said. “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 project is part of a broader plan to redevelop Mogadishu into a thriving urban hub. Proposed additions include a convention centre, hospital, shopping mall, residential properties, a business park, and a school. Jibril Hassan Mohamed, Chairman of Riverside Holding, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Rotana, noting that it “underscores our commitment to Mogadishu’s economic and cultural renaissance.”
Further underscoring this commitment, Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, said his firm is “thrilled to have been entrusted with the management of what will be our first hotel in Somalia,” adding that Aleph looks forward to working closely with both Riverside Holding and Rotana.
Mogadishu Rotana will mark Rotana’s 118th property in the region. As part of its growing presence across Africa, the group also plans to open the 140-key, sustainably minded Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana property in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, alongside other projects in Accra, Cotonou, Cairo, and Luxor.
Rotana currently operates 81 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye, serving more than six million guests per year. The company continues to expand its footprint, backed by a robust pipeline of properties both in the UAE and internationally, strengthening its reputation as a leading global hospitality brand.
