Kinshasa historic Central Market, widely known as Zando, is poised to reopen early next year after an ambitious five-year redevelopment aimed at transforming the crowded, unsanitary trading hub into a modern, sustainable landmark that can once again serve hundreds of thousands of shoppers and traders each day. The project, which has drawn international recognition for its innovative and environmentally conscious design, is seen as a potential blueprint for urban markets across Africa.
Once a bustling commercial heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital, Zando was first inaugurated under Belgian colonial rule in 1944 and later rebuilt in 1968. By 2021, however, the market had become dangerously overcrowded, with more than a million people visiting daily amid severe sanitation issues and minimal facilities, leading authorities to shut it down. Around 20,000 vendors were displaced, triggering protests as thousands lost their workplaces and livelihoods.
The new market, designed through a public-private partnership led by Congolese entrepreneur Dieudonné Bakarani — who began his career selling vegetables in the old Zando — and developed by Paris-based Think Tank Architecture with local materials and expertise, spans approximately 92,000 square metres. It significantly expands capacity for traders and adds modern amenities while preserving the essence of an African marketplace.
Key features of the redevelopment include roughly 10,000 stalls, 630 shops, 40 cold storage rooms, 272 toilets, food courts, a fire station, security systems such as CCTV, high-speed Wi-Fi, and dedicated bank service areas. The layout also incorporates rainwater harvesting systems and landscaped courtyards with trees aimed at enhancing biodiversity, cleanliness and fire safety — a stark contrast to the former conditions, which saw up to nine tonnes of waste generated daily with limited sanitation provision.
Architects involved in the project emphasised that the design was rooted in sustainable practices and local tradition, using concrete and locally produced terracotta bricks to support regional craftsmanship and economic activity. Ventilation and shading were prioritised through building form and materials to mitigate the region’s hot climate, making the new space far more comfortable for traders and visitors alike. These principles contributed to the redevelopment winning a prestigious Holcim Foundation award for sustainable design late last year.
Despite the acclaim, the project has not been free of controversy. Allegations of irregularities and corruption surfaced during the development process, with anti-corruption organisations pointing to inconsistencies in the contract and a lack of transparency. Authorities have defended the process, and Bakarani himself has denied wrongdoing, asserting that the infrastructure now in place will benefit the city and provide a model for future development efforts.
Supporters of the market’s transformation highlight its importance not only as a commercial hub but also as a cultural and social space that reflects the rhythms of African urban life. A Nigerian architect serving as a judge for the Holcim awards noted that markets like Zando remain deeply woven into the continent’s economic and cultural fabric, offering affordable goods and serving as vital community anchors.
As Kinshasa prepares for Zando’s reopening in February 2026, Bakarani said he hopes the project will help shift perceptions about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, attracting investment and demonstrating that sustainable, culturally grounded infrastructure can flourish even amid broader challenges faced by the country.
