Minor Hotel Group, a hotel owner, operator and investor, has announced the formation of a long term strategic partnership agreement with Rani Investment, the owner of high end resorts across Africa. The two organizations have formed a joint venture company for ownership of Indigo Bay Resort & Spa in Mozambique, with plans for further expansion in Africa.

Located on Bazaruto Island, 30 kilometers off the east coast of the country, Indigo Bay is a five star 44-villa resort, and will be re-branded to Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa later this year and managed by Minor Hotel Group.

This new addition to MHG's portfolio takes the number of properties in operation to 94 and adds a new country of operation, taking the total to thirteen. The new strategic partnership will explore more opportunities in Mozambique, including in the capital Maputo, and in the vibrant East Africa market to further strengthen MHG's presence on the continent.

These properties will be a mix of new-build and re-brand and will be flagged with MHG's international hotel brands, including Anantara, the recently launched contemporary upscale brand AVANI and the serviced apartment Oaks brand which is currently expanding into Asia and the Middle East.

Dubai-based Rani Investment is the investment arm of Aujan Group Holding with more than US$300 million of dedicated investments in the Middle East and Africa. Rani Investment is the largest private hospitality owner-operator in Mozambique, having first established its presence in 1999 under the Rani Resorts name.

Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive, Minor Hotel Group, commented: "We are excited to be partnering with Rani Investment and are looking forward to working closely with them to grow our portfolio in Africa, specifically in Mozambique to begin with.

"We are already present in Tanzania and Kenya through our partnership with Elewana Collection and we are keen to expand further into other parts of this vast continent where there is so much untapped opportunity."

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating over 540 hotels, resorts and residences in 56 countries, pursuing its vision of crafting a more passionate and interconnected world. As a hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels fulfils the needs and desires of today's global travellers through its diverse portfolio of eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a collection of related businesses. Minor Hotels is rapidly accelerating its global growth ambitions, aiming to add more than 200 hotels by the end of 2026.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.

For more information, please visit minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook and LinkedIn.