Historic market in Kinshasa ready to reopen to a million shoppers a day after five-year makeover
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- Dieudonné Bakarani, who began his career selling vegetables at Kinshasa Central Market (Zando), is now leading the redevelopment of the historic market, aiming to reopen it in February after a five-year closure.
- The redesigned market, spanning 92,000 square meters and featuring 10,000 stalls, improved sanitation, ventilation, and modern amenities, recently won a Holcim Foundation award for sustainable design, reflecting a blend of traditional African market culture with modern infrastructure.
- The redevelopment, costing about £56 million, was funded through a public-private partnership involving Bakarani’s company Sogema, city authorities, and international firms, with a 25-year operating contract before government takeover.
- Despite facing corruption allegations and
