More than four years after a devastating fire, Dar es Salaam’s historic Kariakoo market is set to reopen following a $10 million reconstruction. President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the new six-storey complex on Sunday, calling it a potential hub for regional economic growth. The market, originally opened in 1975 and destroyed in July 2021, now features underground parking, a rooftop food court, modern security, and fire safety systems.
President Suluhu emphasized that stalls would be allocated fairly and urged the Tanzania Bureau of Standards to ensure products meet international quality standards for local and regional customers. Some 1,500 traders have been cleared to return, with authorities finalizing plans to resume normal business operations. Vendors praised the modernized facilities, describing the market as a major upgrade. President Suluhu previously stated the 2021 fire was an act of arson intended to cover financial mismanagement.
