The state-owned Development and Hotel Company S.C. (DHC) has reported an extraordinary financial rebound for the Hilton Addis Ababa, with the property nearly doubling its revenue and more than doubling its net profit for the fiscal year ending 2025. According to audited financial statements, revenue soared to 506.4 million Birr (approximately $3.25 million USD) from 256.5 million Birr the previous year, while net profit climbed to 308.6 million Birr ($1.98 million USD). This stellar performance enabled the company to declare a significant 317 million Birr dividend to the Ethiopian government, marking a pivotal moment for state-led hospitality assets.

The hotel's financial engine is driven largely by its long-term profit-sharing arrangement with Hilton Worldwide. While the Ethiopian state retains full ownership, the global hospitality giant operates the property under a contract that has proven increasingly lucrative as the capital consolidates its role as Africa's premier diplomatic hub. Revenue from this profit-sharing alone accounted for 484.4 million Birr ($3.11 million USD) in 2025, underlining the synergy between a legacy national asset and international management expertise.

Opened in 1969 by Emperor Haile Selassie as the first Hilton in Africa, the property has spent over half a century serving as the "front desk" for international diplomats and business travelers. However, its recent success is intrinsically tied to Ethiopia's broader tourism boom. In 2025, the country welcomed a record 1.3 million international visitors, the highest in its history. This influx was bolstered by Addis Ababa hosting over 150 regional and international events during the year, including the second Africa Climate Summit and UN Climate Week.

The city itself has undergone a radical transformation that has significantly enhanced the "Hilton neighborhood." The Second Phase of the Corridor Development Project and the stunning Ghion Riverside Park—located immediately adjacent to the hotel—have turned once-congested areas into modern, walkable oases. New city landmarks, such as the Giant Ring Fountain at Meskel Square and the lush green walkways of Ambassador Park, have increased the city's appeal for "leisure" tourism, encouraging conference guests to extend their stays.

Despite the rise of newer competitors like the 1,024-room Ethiopian Skylight Hotel—Africa’s largest—the Hilton remains a flagship of the "high-end" sector. Its occupancy rates in 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels, even as the government began implementing austerity measures that limited local administrative meetings in hotels. The Hilton’s ability to pivot toward international organizations and high-yield foreign travelers has shielded it from these domestic budget cuts, allowing it to maintain a robust balance sheet with total assets reaching 1.98 billion Birr ($12.7 million USD).

Looking forward, the success of the Hilton Addis Ababa is prompting a wave of new international investment. Hilton Worldwide is on track to open the DoubleTree by Hilton Addis Ababa Airport in early 2026, with additional signings already confirmed for Adama and Dire Dawa by 2028. As the government’s direct footprint in the hospitality sector narrows through privatization, legacy properties like the Hilton and the neighboring Ghion Hotel continue to stand as powerful symbols of Ethiopia's ability to compete on a global stage.

Source: BirrMetrics

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State-Owned Hilton Addis Doubles Revenue to $3.25 Million; Declares Record 317 Million Birr Dividend