Luanda, Angola, 21 Sept – Angola’s Minister for Hotels and Tourism said that at least 16 hotels would be inaugurated in Angola by the end of the year, in time for the soccer African Cup of Nations, which Angola will host in January 2010.

Speaking to news agency Angola Press, Minister Pedro Mutindi said that the hotels would be four- and five-star and located in Luanda (six units), and ten in the city of Lubango.

The number may rise, according to the minister, as investment in these hotels is private.

As well as the 16 projects mentioned by the minister, a further four state-driven projects are under construction, one each in the provinces that will host Championship matches (Luanda, Benguela, Huíla and Cabinda).

Construction of these hotels, which is the responsibility of Chinese companies, began this month, but it is not certain that they will be completed by January.

According to Angolan news agency Angop, 32 hotels are under construction in Luanda, 15 in Benguela and Huila, and ten in Kwanza Sul, amongst others across Angola.

Investment in new hotel units its split between the Angolan state and private investors. (macauhub)