The Igbo and Igboland are known as highly commerical people and area. There are lots of commercial activities going on in the region. There are also big markets that people from far and wide come to buy from the market, and these markets are large in terms of number of shops and the level of transactions and money use going on in them. In this post, we’ll be looking at the 5 biggest markets in Igboland.
5 Biggest Markets in Igboland
1. Onitsha Main Market, Onitsha
Onitsha Main Market is adjudged to be the biggest market in Nigeria and even in West Africa due to how large it is according to the number of shops and levels of transactions going on there. Onitsha Main Market is good in both aspect as it has the largest number of shops, and over $2 billion worth of transactions go on in the market annually. It also has the largest population of sellers and buyers.
Onitsha Main Market serves the entire Igboland, the south and the north. People come all the way from Sokoto and even neighboring countries to buy goods from Onitsha Main Market.
2. Ogbete Main Market, Enugu
Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, is the second largest market in Igboland due to the large number of shops in it, and the population trading and buying from it. However, the level of transactions going on in this market is not anywhere near that of Main Market Onitsha or Ariaria International Market. It is large, though, due to the large number of shops.
The level of transactions going on in this market is just over $500 million annually. Nonetheless, it is large, and it serves the rich Enugu population, and the surrounding areas.
3. Ariaria International Market, Aba
Ariaria International Market, Aba, is the third largest market in Igboland. Though, it is not so large in terms of the number of shops, but the level of transactions going on in the market is extremely high. It is second to Onitsha Main Market in terms of level of transactions in Igboland.
Ariaria International Market, Aba, is known for its trademark of industry and sale of produces textiles and fashion wears such as shoes, clothes, bags, and so on. People come from the south and neighboring areas to buy.
The market is worth about over $2 billion in transactions annually.
4. Nkwo Nnewi Market, Nnewi
Nkwo Nnewi Market, Nnewi, is not so large in terms of market size and population like the markets mentioned earlier, however the level and richness of transactions going on here is high. Possibly, this is due to that the market deals mostly with high-cost engines, parts, and nuts. The market also deals with iron.
It is not so large but the transactions going on here is over $1 billion annually.
5. Relief Market, Owerri
Relief Market, Owerri, is the 5th biggest market in Igboland. It would have been Eke Ukwu Market, Owerri, but the market was demolished by former Governor Rochas Okorocha. Most of the traders from the demolished markets moved to Relief Market, which was the second biggest market in Imo State. Now, Relief Market is the biggest market in Owerri and Imo State.
People come from far and wide to buy from this market. The market is serving Imo State and its surrounding. It is not so large but serves the huge population of Owerri and the surrounding. There’s a large population trading and buying here. Annual transactions in this market is worth around $500 million.
Conclusion
Presented in this article are the 5 biggest markets in Igboland. You ought to know these markets, their worth, and where they are. This article guides you well on that.