Kola Karim’s Relentless March Across Continents – THISDAYLIVE

       For billionaire businessman and Chairman of Shoreline Group, Kola Karim, the year appears to be unfolding like a carefully scripted success story. The suave entrepreneur, reputed for his sharp business instincts and ability to close high-profile deals, is once again commanding attention across global business circles with a string of ambitious investments stretching far beyond the shores of Nigeria.

The businessman, who also holds the revered traditional title of Agbaoye of Ibadanland, has in recent months become one of the most visible Nigerian investors on the international stage. So remarkable has his rise been that President Bola Tinubu recently singled him out among Africa’s leading businessmen.

Karim’s latest milestone came this week in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 jointly hosted by Kenya and France, where Shoreline Group signed a landmark letter of intent with Accor, one of the world’s foremost hospitality groups, to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.

The ambitious partnership, backed by a staggering $300 million investment from Shoreline Group, is expected to reshape Nigeria’s hospitality landscape. Industry insiders disclosed that the collaboration aims to develop a network of 10 hotels spread across eight Nigerian cities, delivering over 1,200 rooms before 2030. The proposed hotels will cater to various market segments, ranging from midscale offerings to ultra-luxury accommodations, positioning Nigeria as a more competitive destination for business and leisure travellers alike.

Beyond bricks and mortar, the project is also expected to make a strong socio-economic impact through the establishment of a dedicated hospitality academy designed to train local talents and raise service standards within the sector. The initiative is projected to create about 1,000 direct jobs.

Speaking on the partnership, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, described the collaboration as a strategic commitment to Nigeria’s future and the untapped opportunities within its hospitality sector.

Karim, while reflecting on the deal, noted that the investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa. According to him, hospitality infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical to economic growth and capital movement, especially in markets where quality accommodation remains grossly underserved.

The latest deal comes on the heels of Shoreline Group’s recent celebration of a $1 billion Algeria gas contract secured through Karim’s Italian EPC acquisition, Arkad Engineering, alongside Egypt’s PETROJET. Earlier in February 2026, the group also expanded into the United States with the acquisition of a producing oil asset, further cementing Karim’s reputation as one of Africa’s most aggressive and globally minded investors.

Indeed, for the Oyo State-born mogul, the momentum shows no sign of slowing down.