NBA champion Masai Ujiri partners with Hilton to open first Rwanda hotel

Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors president and one of Africa’s most influential sports figures, is making a new play — this time in hospitality. His company, Zaria Group, is partnering with Hilton (NYSE: HLT) to open Zaria Court Kigali, the hotel chain’s first property in Rwanda and part of its growing push into Sub-Saharan Africa.

The 80-room hotel, which opens later this year, sits at the center of a new sports and entertainment hub in Kigali, adjacent to BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium — venues that host international concerts, sporting events and conferences. Zaria Court Kigali will feature a rooftop lounge, pool, co-working spaces, sports bar and an all-day restaurant.

For Ujiri, whose work extends beyond basketball through his Giants of Africa foundation and investments in culture and community, the Kigali property reflects a long-term bet on Africa’s creative and economic growth.

“This isn’t just another hotel,” Ujiri said in earlier remarks about the project. “It’s about building spaces that reflect who we are, what we can create, and how Africa welcomes the world.”

Hilton’s partnership with Zaria Group brings a new layer to its expansion strategy: blending lifestyle hospitality with cultural and community-led development. The property will operate under Hilton’s Tapestry Collection brand and will be managed by Aleph Hospitality.

Hilton steps up African expansion with Tapestry Collection

Hilton’s Kigali deal is part of a wider strategy to expand its lifestyle brand portfolio across Africa, adding three Tapestry Collection hotels in Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa.

Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa, said the expansion comes at a moment of rising travel demand on the continent. “Africa’s travel and tourism industry is experiencing significant momentum,” he said. “We’re excited to introduce Tapestry Collection to Sub-Saharan Africa with signings in South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda.”

Sterling Hotel — South Africa

The Sterling Hotel in Sibaya, KwaZulu-Natal, is set to open in 2027 in partnership with Crown Pound (Pty) Ltd. The 111-room property will offer rooftop terraces, a pool, fitness center, and proximity to Dolphin Coast beaches. It will target both leisure travelers and business visitors given its short drive to King Shaka International Airport.

Ava Hotel Nairobi — Kenya

In Nairobi, Hilton will debut the Ava Hotel in the upscale Lavington neighborhood. Signed with AVA Hotel Limited, the 91-room property will blend bold design with Kenyan heritage and feature a rooftop restaurant, meeting spaces and pool. Once operational, it will become Hilton’s fifth trading property in Kenya.

Betting on lifestyle brands

The Tapestry Collection, Hilton’s lifestyle brand of more than 170 hotels, emphasizes local character, original design and immersive guest experiences — all supported by Hilton’s global loyalty program.

Elizabeth Scruggs, brand leader for Tapestry Collection, said the new African properties align with the brand’s ethos. “Travelers want more than just a stay — they want to feel connected to a place,” she said.

Hilton currently operates 64 hotels in Africa and has another 106 in its pipeline, with plans to nearly triple its footprint to over 160 hotels in the coming years.

For Ujiri, Kigali is just the beginning. His Zaria Group envisions hospitality as part of a broader cultural, sports, and investment ecosystem that puts African cities at the center of global conversations.