Mbudzi Market poised for expansion

Talent Gore

MBUDZI Market is poised for expansion by creating an additional 500 stalls, making it the biggest informal market, in Harare.

The market currently has 358 tenants, who each employ more than two people.

Mbudzi Market general manager, Felix Ormaechea, is upbeat about the market’s huge potential and contribution to the economy of Harare.

“We have an extra 12 hectares to expand, and we will add another 500 shops.

 ‘’We are just waiting for completion of the road interchange so that we structure our development in line with the road design,” he said.

He said Mbudzi Market has now grown more into a community centre where the people transact and spend their day enjoying various services on offer.

Mbudzi Market houses grocery and hardware shops, clothing boutiques, a pharmacy, dental surgery, hair dressers and money remittance companies, among a host of other supporting services.

The market is not affected by construction of the road interchange.

Mbudzi Market is a joint venture between Harare City Council and Alpha Holdings, which is owned by property magnate, Ken Sharpe.

Council gets, at least, US$10 000 monthly from the investment, and the amount is expected to grow as the market expands.

Some traders at the market expressed satisfaction with the amount of business being generated.

Tatenda Mabuto, the Novafeeds retail manager, said business is thriving at the market.

Joel Tazviwana of Panathon Trading said he is able to distribute groceries nationwide from the market.