Airbnb Aims to Double African User Base to 1.5 Million in 2023
Airbnb is projecting explosive growth across Africa, with plans to double its customer base to 1.5 million users this year. CEO Brian Chesky and regional leadership shared ambitious expansion plans during recent discussions in Cape Town.
Record Growth Across the Continent
- 143% surge in African users from 2015-2016 (reaching 765,000 guests)
- 95% increase in African listings (now totaling 77,000 properties)
- Current listings represent just 2.5% of Airbnb’s global inventory
“We’re forecasting a doubling of African users in 2023,” confirmed Chesky. “This is literally just the beginning—Africa remains significantly under-penetrated in terms of our service.”
Market Potential and Key Destinations
With over 1 billion people, Africa presents enormous untapped potential for the home-sharing platform. Chesky noted the continent could easily support “hundreds of thousands” of additional listings.
Top Performing African Markets:
- South Africa (early adopter and market leader)
- Morocco (Marrakesh and Casablanca)
- Kenya (Nairobi)
- Egypt (emerging market)
Most Popular Cities for Listings:
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Marrakesh, Morocco
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Casablanca, Morocco
International Visitor Trends
The platform reports strong inbound tourism from:
- United States
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
Expanding Beyond Urban Centers
Airbnb’s presence now extends to unexpected locations including:
- St. Helena Island (South Atlantic)
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Selected locations in Somalia
Commitment to Local Communities
During his Cape Town visit, Chesky surprised graduates of Airbnb’s local training program in Langa township—demonstrating the company’s investment in community development alongside its commercial expansion.
“Africa represents an incredibly exciting emerging market for travel,” Chesky emphasized, signaling long-term commitment to the continent’s growing sharing economy.
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