Marriott International has signed a letter of intent with Protea Hospitality Holdings of Cape Town, South Africa to acquire Protea Hotels’ brands and its management business.

Protea Hotels’ operates or franchises 116 hotels across three brands with 10,184 rooms in South Africa and six other Sub-Saharan African countries.

The transaction would nearly double Marriott’s distribution in Africa to more than 23,000 rooms, and help with the company’s expansion plans in the African hotel market.

In addition to its 80 hotels in South Africa, Protea Hotels has a strong presence in Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Marriott and Protea said they plan to sign definitive agreements by year-end 2013 and the transaction could close in the first three months of 2014.

Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, “Africa has significant untapped potential for travel and tourism, both as a destination and source of new global travelers. The continent’s GDP is anticipated to grow at over five percent annually over the next several years which we expect will raise more people into the emerging middle class”

Arthur Gillis, chief executive officer of Protea Hospitality Group, added: “Protea Hotels has grown organically to become the largest and leading hotel group in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aligning with a global giant such as Marriott ensures we can realise the Group’s full potential for all of our stakeholders.”