Over 1,500 traders lined up for new Kariakoo Market

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Kariakoo Markets Corporation has so far registered 1,520 eligible traders to operate in the newly built Kariakoo Market which is set to reopen next month.

The Chairperson of the Kariakoo Markets Corporation Board, Ms Hawa Ghasia, stated yesterday in Dar es Salaam that the market is expected to reopen next month and that only traders who meet the required criteria will be allowed back.

“I have called you (journalists) here today to inform you about the ongoing preparations for resumption of business activities at the Kariakoo Market,” said Ms Ghasia, a former Minister of State, President’s Office – Regional Administrations and Local Governments (PO-RALG).

The Kariakoo Market was severely damaged by a fire on 10th July 2021, forcing traders to vacate the premises and halting all commercial activities. Since then, the government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has been implementing a reconstruction and renovation project that commenced in January 2022 and is now completed.

“We extend our gratitude to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating 28.03bn/- to fund this strategic project, which aims to transform the Kariakoo Market into an international standard marketplace,” said Ms Ghasia.

The Kariakoo Markets Corporation Board of Directors met in January to deliberate and agree on the reopening of the market and the return of traders.

“On 27th January 2025, the Board of Directors convened in Dar es Salaam, where, among other agenda items, it discussed and resolved that the process of reinstating traders at the Kariakoo Market should commence early in February this year,” she explained.

She noted that this decision followed the completion of market infrastructure improvements and the verification process for traders who had previously operated within the market.

ALSO READ: Empowering SMEs: Proposed alterations (Part 2)

The verification process was conducted meticulously through the collaboration of a special task force appointed by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s Office and representatives of traders.

“This decision by the Board follows the successful completion of reconstruction works and trader verification, which was carried out by a special task force formed by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s Office. The team comprised representatives from the traders, the Kariakoo Markets Corporation management and security agencies,” she stated.

She further announced that the names of the verified traders who meet the eligibility criteria to return to the market would be officially published on the Kariakoo Markets Corporation website and the PORALG portal.

“The management is finalising arrangements to publicise the names of former traders who have met the requirements for reinstatement following the verification exercise,” the board chair said.

Additionally, she confirmed that the names and registration forms for returning traders would be made available to the public through various media platforms, including the Kariakoo Markets Corporation website and the PORALG portal.

“I urge traders and the public to remain patient as the Kariakoo Markets Corporation, in collaboration with other government authorities, including the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s Office, continues to provide updates on the procedures leading up to the market’s reopening,” Ms Ghasia stated.

She also called on all traders with outstanding debts to settle their dues before resuming business at the market.

“Our records indicate that a total of 366 traders owe the Corporation a combined amount of 358.57m/-,” she revealed.

The Board Chairperson urged all traders and eligible individuals interested in conducting business at the market to wait until all necessary procedures are finalised and official announcements are made.