Rotana signed a deal with the Mauritanian Investment Group to manage a hotel in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott, a 5-star hotel which will operate under the Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts brand.

Rotana’s Corporate Vice President of Development, Makram El Zyr, explains that this development is “a major milestone” growth strategy. The company aims to gain a foothold in every country in the Middle East and African region. This Rayhaan hotel is their first venture into the African and Maghreb market as the first Rotana establishment in both Mauritania and Africa.The sea-front hotel will add 230 rooms to the market upon its expected 2014 opening, along with restaurants, meeting rooms, swimming pools, and a gym, catering to both business and leisure travel. Africa represents a growing demand for such luxury hotels, and Rotana provides a fitting opportunity to meet this demand with its "deep understanding of Arabic and Islamic culture and values,” proven by successes in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to Chairman of Al Majmoua Almouritania pour l’Investissement, Khaled Al Aboudi.