Douala: PM lays foundation stone of multibillion hotel project.

It brought together government officials, diplomatic representatives, business leaders, financial partners, scores of Sawa Chiefs and other stakeholders.

The Prime Minister said the project goes beyond the construction of a luxury hotel. He said the ceremony represented a broader ambition to transform Cameroon's economic potential into productive investments capable of creating wealth, jobs and opportunities for the population.

The Prime Minister said tourism occupies an important place in Cameroon's National Development Strategy, particularly in efforts to diversify the economy and accelerate structural transformation.

He cited the country's objective of attracting at least 3.3 million tourists annually. The PM stressed that tourism should not be viewed merely as a quantitative target but as a driver of economic growth, employment and territorial development.

According to the Prime Minister, investment in tourism has multiplier effects across several sectors. “Investing in tourism is therefore investing in the entire economic ecosystem,” he said.

The PM saluted the Kempinski Shekinah Palace as a concrete illustration of public-private collaboration. Dion Ngute noted that private-sector participation is a driver of investment, innovation and job creation.

The PM urged stakeholders to maintain close consultation to ensure that the works respect the prescribed deadlines, technical standards and quality requirements.

He assured that the government would play its part by facilitating procedures falling within its competence that could hinder the execution of the project.

City Mayor welcomes major investment

Douala City Mayor, Dr Roger Mbassa Ndine, saluted the project and its potential contribution to the economic transformation of the city. He also situated the place of stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting major investments. 

Dr Mbassa Ndine underscored the expected contribution of the project to Douala's business environment, particularly the development of modern spaces capable of hosting international conferences, business activities and commercial transactions.

The project, he indicated, comes at a time when Douala is undergoing significant transformation, with the city seeking to strengthen its infrastructure and attractiveness to investors.

 ‘A dream became stone’

The President and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of ALS Group, Rodolphe Simo Kam,  said the event was the culmination of six years of negotiations, studies and efforts to bring the project to fruition.

With the foundation stone laid, Simo Kam, said: “We are affirming a vision; that of a Cameroon capable of designing and delivering infrastructure of excellence in the service of its tourism, cultural and economic influence”.

He recalled President Biya's longstanding vision of Cameroon as a “tourism goldmine”. He said the government's investment incentives and support for private investment contributed to the emergence of such a project.

He also explained the choice of the name Shekinah, saying that, in the Hebrew tradition, it refers to the presence and glory of God. The ALS Group CEO acknowledged the institutional and financial support received from Biya and the government.

He singled out BGFI Bank Cameroon for pre-financing more than FCFA 20 billion in technical studies. Simo Kam also acknowledged the roles of Afreximbank, the Development Bank of Central African States, BDEAC, and BGFI Bank Group in the project's financing structure.

Finalises financing deals

On the sidelines of the ceremony, the ALS Group formalised its financing partnerships through the signing of two agreements relating to the financing of the construction of the future hotel complex, with BGFI Bank represented by its Managing Director, Abakal Mahamat.

According Simo Kam, construction will be undertaken by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) under a fixed-price, fixed-time FIDIC Red Book contract.

Potential benefits 

He said the project is expected to generate employment during both construction and operation, while an international luxury hospitality school will be established in partnership with Kempinski Hotels.

The school, he explained, is expected to become operational one year before the inauguration of the hotel. The school, Simo Kam added, will train young Cameroonians respecting international standards in hospitality, accommodation and leisure.

Improve peripheral roads

Simo Kam also called for government support. He pleaded for improvements to the main access route between Douala International Airport and the city centre, peripheral roads, public lighting and signage, as well as the rehabilitation of Bonanjo Joss and Surcouf streets.

He further proposed covering the drainage ditch adjacent to the project site to create a cleaner public space with parking areas, rest areas and other facilities for residents and users.

Project details

It is estimated to cost 220 billion FCFA. Officials said the structure will be completed in 36 months; 31 months for construction and five months for fitting-out. Commissioning is envisaged for 2029.

The complex is designed as a mixed-use development combining luxury hospitality, offices, conference facilities, retail and leisure. 

It was said upon completion, it will feature a five-star hotel with 214 rooms and suites, 35 serviced apartments and approximately 17,000 square metres of Grade A office space.

Major conference and meeting facilities, restaurants, bars, luxury boutiques, an art gallery and leisure facilities are also in the prototype.

According to the project specifications, the complex will feature five bars, five restaurants, two swimming pools, a 2,000 m² fitness and spa centre, tennis and padel courts, a 750 m² casino, a 500 m² nightclub and 600 secure covered parking spaces.

At the centre of the development will be a 27-storey tower rising to 100 metres, with a rooftop bar offering views towards Mount Cameroon.

The promoter specifically cited events such as the Afreximbank Annual Meetings, African Development Bank annual meetings and international economic forums as examples of the type of gatherings the complex could accommodate.

Developers project around 3,000 jobs to be created during the 36-month construction period, while approximately 4,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected once the complex becomes fully operational.

About ALS Group's luxury hospitality ambition

Founded in 2019, All Luxury Suites Group, ALS, is a holding company specialising in the promotion and development of luxury hotel projects.

The company says it has an ambitious programme worth several hundred million euros in high-end hospitality projects in Cameroon and Central Africa and aims to become a major luxury hotel group in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The hotel, it was said, will be operated by Kempinski Hotels, the international luxury hospitality group founded in Berlin in 1897 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The group operates more than 80 hotels and resorts across more than 34 countries.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3923 of Monday September 28, 2026