Unguja. The newly inaugurated Sh43 billion Chuwini Market in Zanzibar is set to emerge as a major economic hub, potentially outshining the renowned Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam.
Kariakoo is currently undergoing an extensive Sh28 billion reconstruction following a devastating fire.
Chuwini Market is part of a broader initiative to develop modern markets across Zanzibar, including the Kwerekwe Market, built at a cost of Sh35.8 billion, and the Jumbi Market, which amounts to Sh24 billion.
With the capacity to host over 4,000 traders, Chuwini Market significantly surpasses Kariakoo’s capacity of approximately 1,900 to 2,000 traders.
A notable aspect of the market’s design includes an integrated bus terminal, which can accommodate up to 114 vehicles simultaneously, a feature expected to enhance local commerce and connectivity.
The project’s details were highlighted during a recent visit by CCM officials, who emphasized the market’s transformative potential.
The Chuwini Market is regarded as a beacon of Zanzibar’s economic development, with the potential to uplift the livelihoods of local residents who previously traveled long distances for essential services.
“Once a paddy farm, this land has now been transformed into a thriving, modern market. For skeptics, I invite you to come and witness the remarkable progress—seeing is believing,” stated one of the officials.
Upon completion, the Chuwini Market promises not only to bolster local commerce but also to simplify the daily lives of residents in Chuwini and neighboring villages, eliminating the need for extensive travel for services.
Experts predict that the establishment of Chuwini, Kwerekwe, and Jumbi markets will significantly alter Zanzibar’s economic landscape, potentially eclipsing the longstanding status of Dar es Salaam’s Kariakoo Market.
