The brand new Mbare Traders Market stands ready for business, with President Mnangagwa set to cut the ribbon early next month. This huge marketplace will welcome over 4,000 sellers and aim to kick out those pesky space barons who once controlled the area. Last October 8, a fire destroyed the original Mbare Musika, burning away about five million US dollars worth of goods and structures.
Department of Civil Protection boss Nathan Nkomo says traders should pack up soon for their move to the new location. Once everyone settles into their spots, workers will start rebuilding the main Mbare Traders Market even better than before. According to Nkomo, April 2025 marks the big opening day. Road crews from Harare City and the Ministry of Local Government hustle to fix nearby streets before the President arrives for the ceremony.
Officials have already checked and approved more than 4,000 vendors who can legally sell at this new spot. The orderly setup should finally end the headaches caused by those who used to rent out spaces illegally. After moving sellers to their temporary homes, construction teams will tackle the main marketplace using improved designs and stronger materials. Phase One has wrapped up completely, with trader relocation happening very shortly.
The main building will be three stories high and have different floors for different types of products. Safety comes first, with fire hydrants placed throughout to stop flames from spreading. Two bathroom areas include handwashing stations that everyone can use, including people with disabilities. Emergency exit stairs and special fire-resistant materials protect both sellers and shoppers. Masimba Holdings signed a deal to build and run the market before eventually handing it back to the government after eight months of construction.
The informal business sector pumps serious money into Zimbabwe's economy. Making the Mbare Market official should boost those numbers even higher. Government plans call for similar marketplace upgrades across all ten provinces, making sure rural areas benefit just as much as cities do. This project represents just the beginning of nationwide improvements for traders everywhere.
Department of Civil Protection boss Nathan Nkomo says traders should pack up soon for their move to the new location. Once everyone settles into their spots, workers will start rebuilding the main Mbare Traders Market even better than before. According to Nkomo, April 2025 marks the big opening day. Road crews from Harare City and the Ministry of Local Government hustle to fix nearby streets before the President arrives for the ceremony.
Officials have already checked and approved more than 4,000 vendors who can legally sell at this new spot. The orderly setup should finally end the headaches caused by those who used to rent out spaces illegally. After moving sellers to their temporary homes, construction teams will tackle the main marketplace using improved designs and stronger materials. Phase One has wrapped up completely, with trader relocation happening very shortly.
The main building will be three stories high and have different floors for different types of products. Safety comes first, with fire hydrants placed throughout to stop flames from spreading. Two bathroom areas include handwashing stations that everyone can use, including people with disabilities. Emergency exit stairs and special fire-resistant materials protect both sellers and shoppers. Masimba Holdings signed a deal to build and run the market before eventually handing it back to the government after eight months of construction.
The informal business sector pumps serious money into Zimbabwe's economy. Making the Mbare Market official should boost those numbers even higher. Government plans call for similar marketplace upgrades across all ten provinces, making sure rural areas benefit just as much as cities do. This project represents just the beginning of nationwide improvements for traders everywhere.
