MHG Forms JV with Rani Investment; Signs Hotel in Mozambique

Minor Hotel Group (MHG), a Thailand-based hotel owner, operator and investor, has formed a joint venture company with Rani Investment LLC, for ownership of Indigo Bay Resort & Spa in Mozambique.

Located on Bazaruto Island, 30km off the east coast of the country, Indigo Bay is a 5-star 44-villa resort, and will be rebranded as Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa later this year. The hotel will be 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 rebrand 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.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, said, “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.”

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