Kinshasa’s historic Zando market is poised for a grand reopening, following a five-year, $70 million transformation led by local entrepreneur Dieudonné Bakarani. Once a chaotic hub for a million daily shoppers, the market has been reimagined with 10,000 stalls and 630 shops, modern amenities, and sustainable design features. The project, a collaboration between Congolese, French, and Chinese partners, aims to preserve the vibrant essence of an African marketplace while solving past issues of overcrowding and sanitation. Despite facing allegations of corruption, which Bakarani denies, the award-winning design is a source of immense local pride. For its visionary founder, this rebirth is more than commerce; it’s a testament to Congolese resilience and a blueprint for future urban development across the continent.
The Guardian
