Kinama Market

The Kinama Market is a public market located in Bujumbura, Burundi. As of 2010, it was one of six major markets in the city, alongside Bujumbura Central Market, Buyenzi, Kinindo, Kanyosha, and Musaga. The market is situated near cassava-producing areas such as Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke, and Bubanza, and it houses numerous mills for processing cassava, a key product sold there. In May 2010, the Kinama quarter experienced riots when ballot boxes filled with uncounted voting papers were discovered. This led to looting and the market's closure in the afternoon. In 2016, Kinama Market was among seven markets in Bujumbura closed for rehabilitation funded by the European Union. Traders were required to vacate their stalls by January 18, 2016, with temporary relocation sites provided. Some traders moved to these temporary locations, while others relocated to other open markets. The rehabilitation process faced delays due to material shortages, machinery breakdowns, and unpaid contributions from traders. By May 30, only 1,035 of the 2,085 stallholders at Kinama Market had paid their contributions. The market was initially expected to reopen in July but ultimately opened in August 2019 with over 2,050 stands. By November 2019, many stands remained incomplete or locked, and traders expressed concerns about high costs and price speculation. Meanwhile, informal stalls set up in surrounding streets began attracting customers who might otherwise have shopped at the market. In December 2019, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza visited Bujumbura Mairie Province to inaugurate several buildings as part of Burundi's 57th anniversary celebrations. This included ...