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The front doors to the Grand Marché of Niamey have reopened since this week. An event because it had been more than two years since they were closed due to work on the highway. While the Covid-19 pandemic and the violence in the post-election crisis have hit the capital’s economic lung hard, traders are hoping to reopen their doors.
as reported from Niamey, Gaelle Laleix
In his office, Adamou Hamani, general manager of Socogem, the construction and management company of Grand Marché, is happy. He had been waiting for this reopening of the doors for a long time.
“It is a very good thing, given the difficult situation, to deny it. It is a sigh of relief for traders, it will affect their turnover. It allows customers to get to the market galore because they at least have access to all the doors now. ”
Because customers have become scarce lately. Covid-19 and the problems associated with the post-election crisis worried customers. Ali runs a cosmetics store, although he is very happy with the opening of the front doors, he is still worried.
“People are coming, but it’s not what it used to be. Since there are difficulties after the campaign, many are scared. If there is any disturbance, people are scared. ”
Adam comes from Lossougongou to shop. The big market is important to him and he wants politics to stay at the door. “The market has nothing to do with politics. And the election is almost over. I want Niger to be as it was before and I will come and shop as I will, go home as I will: in peace. ”
With 4,800 stores, the Grand Marché of Niamey is the largest in the country.
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