Souadou Niang is popular in Senegal thanks to her inspiring story and multi-million investment in the West African country.
In a sit-down interview with BBC Africa, the entrepreneur disclosed that she moved to the United States while she was just 18.
She got to the US, looked for a job and she was lucky to secure one as a cleaner at Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington DC.
Niang would work at the hotel, cleaning rooms, and at the same time studying. She later rose through the ranks and secured a better job at the same hotel.
“I started out cleaning toilets. I rose through the ranks and that’s where I got the passion. I said one day I will go back to my country and show that luxury and quality of service can be achieved there,” she said.
In 2017, after years of saving and working in the US, Niang returned to West Africa to set up a five-star hotel.
She struggled to secure loans from banks until one bank director offered to finances the construction of the now Palms Luxury Boutique Hotel.
“The banks’ director said ‘I see your determination, I see your eyes sparkle when you talk about your project, I believe in you, I’ll take the risk of lending you’. Before that I have knocked on the door of several banks and didn’t get lucky,” Niang said.
The hotel is situated in Dakar.
“My dream is to conquer Africa, and why not the world. As the international hotel franchises in Africa, we should be able to adapt our Afro-chic boutique hotels in Western countries, and show African women can run luxury boutique hotels with the same standards as the international hotels,” Souadou Niang said.
While at the hotel, visitors can view the Les Mamelles Lighthouse and Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, some of Dakar’s top attractions.
They have relaxing rooms that offer air conditioning, a seating area, a desk and guests’ free wifi.
The hotel features a 24 hour front desk and baggage storage, a pool and a lounge. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available.