Democratic Republic of the Congo Shopping and Districts

(Democratic Republic of the Congo - DRC, CD, Central Africa)

There are plenty of shopping opportunities for those looking for good quality souvenirs, as well as everyday items, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bigger towns and cities, such as Kinshasa, all have several larger shops and stores, together with traditional African markets. Visitors can also purchase gifts from the abundance of small craft workshops that are dotted around the country.

Shops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are generally open from Monday to Saturday, opening at 08:00 and closing for lunch at 12:00. In the afternoon, most shops open from around 15:00 to 18:00, except on Saturdays, when shops tend to close at noon.

Where to Shop

Craft workshops are a good place to pick up local handiwork if you want to purchase souvenirs of your visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These include everything from handmade furniture and paintings, to wooden carvings, decorated pottery and bronze sculptures.

In Kinshasa, the Marché Central was once the biggest and best of the markets to be found in the city. Today, it may have lost some of its sparkle, but nevertheless, it is still a great place to spend an hour or two shopping for gifts. You can find pretty much anything here. Likewise, its more modern rival, Marché de Kabila, is also worth a visit.

Souvenir hunters should head for Gare Central, an atmospheric market where Kinshasa's artists proudly display and sell their work.