Sudan Shopping and Districts

(Sudan, SD, North-East Africa)

Most shops in Sudan are fairly small. The Afra Mall in Khartoum is definitely the exception. At the other end of the shopping scale, and where you are most likely to spend your time browsing, are the city's many markets.

For souvenir hunting and a spot of haggling, local souqs offer unrivalled opportunities to pick up a bargain.

Shopping hours in Sudan vary, depending on the time of year. In general, though, shops tend to open from Saturday to Thursday between 08:00 and 13:00. After lunch, they reopen from 17:30 to 20:00, while the busy Afra Shopping Mall generally opens right through from 08:00 to 23:00.

Where to Shop

As far as modern shopping centres in Sudan are concerned, the Afra Mall was the first of its kind in Khartoum. Located in the suburb of Arkawet, the Afra did suffer some fire damage in 2012. Today, however, it still offers a range of shopping options, including a department store and hypermarket, as well as a cinema, cafe and restaurants. Goods on sale range from cosmetics and clothes to electrical items and garden equipment. Other shopping centres include the Oasis Centre Mall, the Al Souq Al-Afranjee Mall and the Al Waha Mall.

Khartoum's main fruit and vegetable market, the Souq el Merkhazi, is one of the biggest in Africa. Located on the southern edge of the city, there are plenty of bargains to be had here. Other fresh produce on sale includes meat and eggs. The Souk Omdurman, the oldest of Khartoum's markets, is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs, from locally made wood carvings to ornate handcrafted bracelets and woven baskets.

The Souq es-Shabi, situated in the Amarat district of Khartoum, sells a wide range of goods, including shoes and clothes. In the commercial heart of Khartoum city is the Souq-Arabi, also known as the Arabian Market. Spread over a wide area just south of the Great Mosque are many tempting stalls, divided into sections, including one that sells gold jewellery.

Khartoum city centre also has a couple of main shopping streets, which are amongst the busiest in the whole of Sudan. These include the relatively upmarket Al Qasr Street and Al Jamhoriyah Street.