The rollout represents one of the first scaled implementations of AI-native concierge agents in African hospitality, positioning CityBlue Hotels and Inntelo AI at the forefront of AI-driven transformation in the sector.
Operating across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and expected to open soon in Ghana, Uganda and Zambia, with additional strategic tie-ups in South Africa and Mozambique, CityBlue Hotels’ partnership with Inntelo AI comes amid continued growth for Africa’s tourism and hospitality industries. According to UN Tourism, there was an 8% year-on-year increase in international visits to Africa in 2025, with 81 million people travelling to the continent last year – a trend that is being driven by increased investment, rising intra-African travel, and global demand for new destinations.
Inntelo’s AI-native concierge solution coordinates guest interactions and service requests, allowing hotel teams to prioritise tasks and maintain service consistency. The platform supports faster response times and, by automating workflows, it enables staff to focus on in-person service delivery, balancing operational efficiency with overall guest experience.
The partnership also includes the development of educational programmes to advance skills, innovation, and AI adoption across Africa’s hospitality industry.
Asif Alidina, Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI, said: “This partnership represents a defining moment for Inntelo AI. Africa is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing hospitality markets globally, and CityBlue Hotels stands out as a locally grown, ambitious brand that is scaling across the continent with real intent.
“For us, this is about more than deploying technology. It’s about partnering with an operator that understands its markets deeply and is ready to lead the next phase of hospitality innovation. Together, we have the opportunity to introduce AI-native operations at scale, combining conversational and agentic AI to support teams, enhance guest experiences, and set a new benchmark for what modern hospitality can look like in Africa.”
Jameel Verjee, Founder and CEO of CityBlue Hotels, added: “CityBlue has always been focused on where our markets are going. As we scale, AI-native operations become essential to delivering consistency, speed, and quality across multiple geographies.
“This partnership allows us to embed AI at the core of how we operate – supporting our teams in real time, reducing friction, and elevating the guest experience across every property. Just as importantly, we are shaping how AI is applied within an African context.”
Inntelo AI’s technology is already being rapidly deployed across hotels in the UK, Europe and Asia, including independent and branded properties such as Radisson-branded hotels with the Brilliant Hotels Collection, as well as IHG and Wyndham properties with The First Group Hospitality. This includes flagship developments such as IHG’s Ciel Dubai Marina, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest hotel, with further deployments continuing across a growing portfolio of international hotel operators.
About Inntelo AI
Inntelo AI is the first AI-native platform unifying guest experience, operations, and real-time personalisation for hospitality and real estate. It empowers hotels to work smarter, grow revenue, and deliver seamless service by combining communications, task automation, personalisation, and predictive intelligence into one stack.
Designed for hotels, resorts, branded residences, and mixed-use venues, Inntelo AI transforms performance while keeping people at the centre. The company is backed by leading venture investors, including Antler, Haatch, Look AI Ventures, and the British Business Bank.
About CityBlue Hotels
CityBlue Hotels is one of Africa’s fastest-growing hotel groups, with properties across major cities in East and West Africa. Founded in 2013, the African-born brand focuses on delivering modern, business-friendly accommodation supported by a strong digital infrastructure.
Operating across key commercial and travel hubs including Accra, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, Mombasa and Nairobi, CityBlue Hotels serves both business and leisure travellers. The group continues to expand its footprint across the continent, with a focus on combining international standards with locally rooted hospitality.
You can also follow Asif Alidina on LinkedIn for more articles and insights into AI and Hospitality.
Inntelo AI is the first AI-native platform unifying guest experience, operations, and real-time personalisation for hospitality and real estate. It empowers hotels to work smarter, grow revenue, and deliver seamless service by combining communications, task automation, personalisation, and predictive intelligence into one stack. Designed for hotels, resorts, branded residences, and mixed-use venues, Inntelo AI transforms performance while keeping people at the centre. The company is backed by leading venture investors, including Antler, Haatch, Look AI Ventures, and the British Business Bank.
