CHAD : Emirati Group Royal Capital takes over former Hilton hotel in N’Djamena

(LVDE) – During the “Chad Connexion 2030” National Development Plan roundtable held in Abu Dhabi, the Chadian government and the Emirati group Royal Capital LLC officially announced the takeover of the former Hilton Hotel in N’Djamena, marking the end of a six-year closure.

Chad’s hospitality landscape is undergoing a major transformation with the acquisition of the former Hilton N’Djamena by Royal Capital LLC, an Emirati investment group. The hotel, which had ceased operations in November 2019, is set for a revival after years of inactivity. The announcement was made during the “Chad Connexion 2030” roundtable, held in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, 2025. The signing ceremony was attended by Abakar Rozzi Teguil, Chad’s Minister of Tourism Development.

The hotel’s closure in 2019 had marked the end of an era for Chad’s tourism industry. Since its shutdown, officially announced in late October 2019, the capital had struggled to fill the gap left by one of its most prestigious establishments. In a letter dated October 30, 2019, Hilton management confirmed the difficult decision to cease operations, without disclosing the reasons. The underlying causes were later revealed by the property’s then-owner, SGI Holding, a U.S.-based company.

SGI had invested over $80 million in building the hotel, inaugurated in December 2015, and had taken a $38 million loan from a banking consortium that included Société Générale Chad and Ecobank. Its managing director, Mohammed Naeem, criticized the banks for what he described as an improper foreclosure process, arguing that the property’s market value exceeded the loan amount and should have allowed for a repayment arrangement instead.

Chadian authorities, however, presented a different version of events. Former Tourism Minister Madeleine Alingué stated that SGI had failed to service its loans since 2013, despite multiple reminders. The matter was taken to court, which ruled in favor of the creditor banks, transferring ownership of the property to the financial consortium. Attempts at mediation reportedly failed, leaving the judiciary to resolve the dispute.

With Royal Capital LLC now taking over, the hotel’s future looks far more promising. Its operation will be managed by Rotana Hotels, a major player in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe hospitality sector. This new management is expected to breathe new life into the hotel and restore investor confidence in Chad’s tourism industry. According to Minister Abakar Rozzi Teguil, the move marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to revive the tourism sector.

The reopening of the former Hilton is seen not only as a boost to tourism but also as a driver of local employment and economic growth at a time when Chad is striving to diversify its revenue sources. As the revival plan unfolds, stakeholders are watching closely, hopeful that this initiative will usher in a new and lasting era for the country’s hospitality industry.

Sorelle Ninguem