President Samia Opens Newly Reconstructed Kariakoo Market After Sh28 Billion Investment”

Dar es Salaam — President Samia Suluhu Hassan on February 8, 2026, officially inaugurated the newly reconstructed Kariakoo Market, a major commercial landmark in East and Central Africa, marking the return of one of Tanzania’s most important trading hubs.

The reopening represents a significant milestone for thousands of traders who were displaced after a mysterious fire gutted the historic market on the night of July 10, 2021.

The government invested Sh28 billion in the reconstruction of the market, a project that began in January 2022. The new six-storey complex is a modern facility featuring underground parking with capacity for more than 400 vehicles, a rooftop food court, and advanced security and fire safety systems.

Despite the modern upgrades, the market’s historical identity has been preserved. The reconstructed older section retains the iconic “vikombe” (cups) architectural design, a distinctive feature dating back to the market’s original construction in the 1970s.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, President Samia addressed the controversy surrounding the 2021 fire, which she had previously described as an act of arson intended to destroy evidence of financial mismanagement.

“The night of July 10, 2021, was not only a night of mourning for the traders of Kariakoo, but also for the government. Our market was affected by a fire incident. However, with courage, I said I would rebuild this market and rebuild it properly so that business could continue,” she said.

She added that her promise had now been fulfilled:

“I promised that I would come to officially open the new market, and today, the impossible has become possible.”

President Samia also issued a stern directive to authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the allocation of stalls, noting that the former market had been plagued by corruption and irregular rental arrangements that deprived the market of revenue and triggered complaints from traders.

“I am aware that in the old market there was an irregular rental system, which denied the market revenue and led to numerous complaints,” she said.

The reopening of the Kariakoo Market is expected to boost commercial activity, improve government revenue collection, and restore the market’s status as a central hub of trade in Tanzania and the wider region.