A new luxury hospitality and business complex is set to transform Douala’s skyline after Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, representing President Paul Biya, laid the foundation stone for the Kempinski Shekinah Palace in Bonanjo.The 220 billion FCFA project, developed by All Luxury Suites Group (ALS GROUP) and to be managed by Kempinski Hotels, is expected to position Douala as a stronger destination for international tourism, business and conferences. The 27-storey complex, rising about 100 metres on nearly two hectares, will include a five-star hotel with 214 rooms and suites, 35 serviced apartments and a conference centre capable of accommodating up to 3,000 people.The development will also feature 17,000 square metres of Grade-A office space, a 2,000-square-metre spa and fitness centre, swimming pools, tennis and padel courts, a casino, nightclub, luxury shopping gallery, art gallery, five restaurants and five bars. About 600 covered parking spaces are planned.The project is expected to create nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. A hospitality and tourism training school will also be established to equip young
Cameroonians with skills for careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors. During the ceremony, project developer Rodolphe Simo Kam highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration and called for improvements to roads linking the project to Douala International Airport, street lighting and other public amenities.Prime Minister Dion Ngute described the investment as part of Cameroon’s broader development ambitions, particularly its objective of attracting between 3.3 and 3.5 million tourists annually.He said tourism has the potential to stimulate several sectors, including agriculture, handicrafts, transport and local businesses.The ceremony was attended by Littoral Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, Wouri SDO Sylyac Marie Mvogo, Douala City Mayor Roger Mbassa Ndine, members of Government and Sawa traditional authorities, who performed customary rites at the project site.Once completed, the Kempinski Shekinah Palace is expected to strengthen Douala’s capacity to host major international conferences while adding new opportunities for tourism, business and employment in Cameroon.
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