Kinshasa Market Set to Reopen After Five-Year Transformation Project
A five-year makeover has transformed the historic Zando market in Kinshasa into a modern and sustainable hub that pays homage to traditional African markets. The redevelopment project, led by entrepreneur Dieudonné Bakarani's company Sogema, aims to create a marketplace that is functional, clean, and environmentally friendly.
The $56 million project has been financed through a loan from SofiBanque, with the operating contract granting Sogema control of the market for 25 years. However, controversy surrounds the deal after two DRC anti-corruption organisations reported inconsistencies in the contract that could be linked to corruption.
Bakarani denies the allegations and believes that the project's benefits will outweigh any potential issues. The new market boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, and modern storage facilities.
Spread over 23 acres, the revamped marketplace features 10,000 stalls, 630 shops, 40 cold rooms, 272 toilets, and two food courts. The design has been praised internationally, winning a Holcim Foundation award for sustainable design.
The redevelopment was spearheaded by a team from Paris-based Think Tank Architecture Paysage Urbanisme, who worked closely with local stakeholders to create a market that reflects the needs and culture of Kinshasa's residents. Marine de la Guerrande, part of the design team, stated that they aimed to "keep the quality and characteristics of the African market" while modernizing it.
Bakarani hopes that Zando will become a model for similar projects across the continent and help change the country's image by showcasing its opportunities for investment and growth. Despite ongoing armed conflicts in the eastern regions of the DRC, Bakarani remains optimistic about Kinshasa's potential to attract international partners and create economic opportunities.
The market is expected to reopen in February, with Bakarani predicting that it will attract a million shoppers daily, generating significant revenue and stimulating local economic growth.
A five-year makeover has transformed the historic Zando market in Kinshasa into a modern and sustainable hub that pays homage to traditional African markets. The redevelopment project, led by entrepreneur Dieudonné Bakarani's company Sogema, aims to create a marketplace that is functional, clean, and environmentally friendly.
The $56 million project has been financed through a loan from SofiBanque, with the operating contract granting Sogema control of the market for 25 years. However, controversy surrounds the deal after two DRC anti-corruption organisations reported inconsistencies in the contract that could be linked to corruption.
Bakarani denies the allegations and believes that the project's benefits will outweigh any potential issues. The new market boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance, and modern storage facilities.
Spread over 23 acres, the revamped marketplace features 10,000 stalls, 630 shops, 40 cold rooms, 272 toilets, and two food courts. The design has been praised internationally, winning a Holcim Foundation award for sustainable design.
The redevelopment was spearheaded by a team from Paris-based Think Tank Architecture Paysage Urbanisme, who worked closely with local stakeholders to create a market that reflects the needs and culture of Kinshasa's residents. Marine de la Guerrande, part of the design team, stated that they aimed to "keep the quality and characteristics of the African market" while modernizing it.
Bakarani hopes that Zando will become a model for similar projects across the continent and help change the country's image by showcasing its opportunities for investment and growth. Despite ongoing armed conflicts in the eastern regions of the DRC, Bakarani remains optimistic about Kinshasa's potential to attract international partners and create economic opportunities.
The market is expected to reopen in February, with Bakarani predicting that it will attract a million shoppers daily, generating significant revenue and stimulating local economic growth.
. $56 million seems like a pretty penny for a market that's already been around for decades. I mean, what's new with the design? Is it really that sustainable? And $1 million per year in operational costs is kinda steep, don't you think? 
The #ZandoMarketReopening is finally happening after 5 long years of transformation 
! I'm super hyped about the $56 million makeover 
and high-speed Wi-Fi 
. The fact that local stakeholders were involved in the design process is a huge plus 
. I hope Bakarani's optimism about attracting international partners and creating economic opportunities will come true 
! It'd be awesome to see Kinshasa become a hub for sustainable markets across the continent 
. Fingers crossed, Zando will reach its predicted 1 million shoppers daily by Feb 
#SustainableMarkets #KinshasaRevival #ZandoMarketReopens
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. The design team did an incredible job blending traditional and modern elements, and I'm excited to see how this project will attract international attention and create economic opportunities 
.
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gotta say, this is some awesome news! i mean, 5 years of transformation & it's finally coming together. the design is super cool, all about blending traditional african vibes with modern amenities 
. hope it lives up to bakarani's hype & attracts a million shoppers daily 
. but overall, super excited about kinshasa's potential to shine on the global economic stage 
So I was reading this news about the Zando market in Kinshasa being revamped for 5 years 
and I gotta say, it looks 
! They've added air con 
, fast wifi 
, and even CCTV surveillance 
to make it more sustainable & modern. But what concerns me is that there are some shady dealings going on with the contract 
Sounds like a game-changer for Kinshasa's economy. But let's keep an eye on those corruption allegations, you know? 
Can't have our shiny new market tainted by shady dealings 
.
... I mean, I'm all for progress and modernization, but have we really learned anything from history? This project is like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound - it's gonna create some short-term gains, but what about the long-term impact on the local community? 
... but have we forgotten that this is a city with a rich cultural heritage and history? I hope the Think Tank Architecture Paysage Urbanisme team actually listened to the community and didn't just slap on some trendy designs without considering the impact on everyday people 
.
. Can't we do better than that? 
. I mean, 10,000 stalls & 630 shops is a lot, but its also kinda scary how much investment has gone into this... $56 million is a wild amount 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out when it opens up in Feb though! Maybe we'll get a glimpse of the economic growth that Bakarani is talking about 
dieudonné bakarani seems like a genius entrepreneur who really cares about the community and wants to create opportunities for investment and growth 
i'm curious to see how many people they'll get daily when it opens in feb - 1 million shoppers? that's crazy! 
and attract some serious investments. Who wouldn't want to shop at a modern market with state-of-the-art infrastructure? 
1 million shoppers daily is ambitious but I'm here for it!
! Five years of planning and $56 million investment? That's dedication, fam 
. I'm all about the sustainable vibe they're going for - air conditioning, Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance... it's like a whole new world for these Kinshasa residents 
.
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. Can't wait to see what February brings in terms of foot traffic... a million shoppers daily? That's lit 
... dieudonné bakarani seems like a nice dude tho 
. personally, i think it's cool that they kept traditional african markets in mind when redesignin' zando market 
, but at the same time, idk... maybe it's just me 
A $56 million investment that's not just about modernizing the space but also preserving its cultural roots is a testament to the power of innovation. 
It shows that there are people out there who care about doing things right and making a real difference. So, bring it on, Kinshasa!