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.
