In recent times, the introduction of shopping malls which comprises one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers with intersecting walkaways that allow customers to move from unit to unit has become very popular.
In Africa, modern shopping centers began to boom in the last decade indicating a growing middle class across the African continent as well as its improved spending power.
South African giant retailers such as Shoprite and Game, as well as French retailer, Carrefour are the go-to giant retailers in these malls. Read on to find out some of the largest market and the biggest mall in Africa
Game City Mall, Botswana
The biggest and busiest mall to think of in Botswana is the Game City Mall situated in the country’s capital, Gaborone. The mall which has been operational since 2003 covers over 50,000 square meters.
There are about 126 variety stores such as restaurants, fashion stores as well as popular clothing retailers, Edgars, Levi’s, and Nike, along with the large department store, Game. Renowned franchises KFC, Chicken Licken, and Nandos are restaurants found within the mall.
Novare Lekki Mall, Nigeria
The $83 million project Novare Lekki Mall which is sited in Lagos, Nigeria. It was constructed by Novare Real Estate Africa and spans 22,000 square meters. In August 2016, the mall was purposed to cater for the rapidly urbanizing district of Lekki and therefore makes it arguably the biggest mall in Africa’s most populous city.
Shoprite and Game are among the anchor stores aside from other signature shops like Nike, Swatch and Levi’s. A cinema, an entertainment center, and event-hosting abilities are also provided by the mall.
Kumasi City Mall, Ghana
The new state-of-the-art $95 million Kumasi City Mall is a shopping mall situated in Asokwa, a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana. The mall is one of the biggest malls in West Africa and the first of its kind in the city and covers a land size of roughly 15 acres. The mall houses shops for groceries, beauty, electronics, jewelry, clothing, pharmaceuticals, and some recreational centers.
The mall also provides a vast range of entertainment for the consumer such as restaurants and cinemas.
Mall of Arabia, Egypt
One of the largest malls that can be found in Egypt is the Mall of Arabia which is positioned in the capital of Cairo. It has more than 900 stores of which famous brands like Zara, Mango, and LC Waikiki, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops, along with the hypermarket, Spinny’s are included. It is also where Egypt’s first dancing fountain that exhibits a show of sound and light in the evening until 11 p.m. is found.
If you want to see the mall in its totality, a number of days will definitely be needed because it is really huge. Fridays and Saturdays are mostly days a lot of people visit the mall.
Dantokpa Market, Benin
The largest open-air market in West Africa is the Dantokpa market which is also known as Tokpa. It covers about 80,000 meters and located by a lagoon in the city Cotonou in Benin.
Whenever you in the Dantokpa market, expect to spend time going through the market to do the shopping because of the busy nature of the market as a result of lots of stalls, taxis, people, and bicycles.
You can get everything from fresh produce, cosmetics, Ankara cloth and gas at the market. Goods used for religious rituals, such as animal cloth, bones, candles, and herbs are also available in the market. Prices of items in the Dantokpa market are not fixed so make sure to take any bargaining opportunities you may find.
Sandton City Mall, South Africa
Sandton city shopping center which started operating on September 12, 1973, is located Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. A gross leasable area of 128,000 m2 (1,380,000 sq. ft) of retail space makes up the center. There are office spaces together with the Sandton Sun Hotel causing the total area to increase to 215,000m2 (2,310,000 sq. ft).
The Nelson Mandela Square (formerly Sandton Square) together with the adjacent Sandton city forms one of the largest retail complexes in Africa. A distinguishing architectural feature of Sandton City is provided by a pyramid-shaped roof which was added in the 1990s. It is the focal point of an area around which Africa’s richest square mile-and-a-half was built.
Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, Seychelles
The best way to get a feel of the Seychellois and their way of life is to visit Mahés busy and colorful Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market. It doesn’t only serve as a top tourist attraction for the island nation but also the best market on the island to shop for fish, vegetables, spices, and fresh fruit.
Aside from food, it is the best spot for souvenirs, art, and clothing as well as for enjoying Seychellois cuisine at the numerous eateries available. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market is open every day of the week; however, Saturdays are noted to be the best day to visit or to go shopping since Saturdays are always bustling with activities.
Two Rivers Mall, Kenya
Two Rivers Mall, East Africa’s largest mall is situated on Limuru Road in close nearness to the rich environs of Runda, Gigiri, Nyari, and Muthaiga. The Garden City Mall in Kenya on Thika Road comes next to two rivers mall because the shopping complex covers 65,000 square meters.
French retail giant, Carrefour, as well as luxury fashion brands, Zara and LC Waikiki, Swarovski, luxury jewelry brand, Â giant apparel and sneaker stores, Nike, Adidas and Mr. Price, as well as popular indoor entertainment provider, Magic Planet, are included in a wide range of shops obtainable.
The Designer Studio and Nove Coffee Roasters are some of the Kenyan brands that work in the mall. The mall opened in February 2017, is partly owned by the investment company, Centum and constructed at a cost of $10 million.