Marriott International, an American-based multinational hotel group, is set to expand its Nigerian business after seeing greater patronage from local investors seeking to leverage its brand to deliver top class hospitality services.

The hospitality group is already involved in three projects in the West African country – two in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, and one in Lagos, the commercial hub of the country, and a expected to be completed before the end of 2015, Business Day reported.

“In Abuja, we have already signed and announced our 250-room Courtyard by Marriott Abuja, along with our 100-room Marriott Executive Apartments Abuja, in the Central Business District on Samuel Ademulegun Avenue,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and MD, Marriott International, Middle East and Africa.

Strong economic indicators such as a ready consumer base and low hospitality service supply, according to Kyriakidis, gives the hotel group confidence the market is ripe for entry.

The American hotel giant has been increasingly interested in expanding its business portfolio in the emerging continent. This was confirmed by a recent acquisition of South African-based hotel franchise, Protea Group, as well as a recent agreement with one of Nigeria’s richest men and former head of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, to roll out the Marriott brand in Nigeria. A deal has already been signed to deliver a five-star hotel in Victoria Island, one of Lagos’ high brow areas.

Marriott’s asset portfolio spans across 19 international brands managing over 3,800 properties, operating in over 70 countries with revenue inflow exceeding $12 billion as at December 2012.

It pioneers cutting edge infrastructure delivery in the hospitality industry, constructing monumental hotel structures in America, Europe and the Middle East. Its JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is the tallest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Centre is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere – Americas, Western Europe and Africa.