The Ariaria International Market is an open-air market located in Aba, a city in

Abia State Abia State ( ig, Ȯha Abia) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Enugu, and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the ...

in Southeast

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. The market is one of the largest markets in

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...

and nicknamed "China of Africa" because of its versatility in the making of wears and leather works.

Historical and structural background

Ariaria International Market was established in 1976 following a fire outbreak that destroyed the old Ekeoha Market in Aba. The market was originally sited in a swampy area. The market is known for its

shoemaking Shoemaking is the process of making footwear. Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand, often by groups of shoemakers, or cobblers (also known as '' cordwainers''). In the 18th century, dozens or even hundreds of masters, journeymen ...

and leather works thus making it one of the largest leather shoe-making markets in

with an estimated two million traders. For more than two decades, the market has serviced clients home and abroad. Manufacturers in the market boast that their clientele base extends beyond the shores of Africa. “Many citizens in Europe and Africa have the market to thank for many of the leather shoes they wear,” Amobi Nwanagu, President, StandUp Africa, claims. The market cuts across three local government areas, the

Aba North Aba North is a Local Government Area iAba Abia State, Nigeria. In the year (1991) Aba North local government was created. The headquarters is at Eziama Uratta. It is amongst the local governments that made up Abia South senatorial zone. It is ...

Aba South Aba South is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the city of Aba. It has an area of 49 km and a population of 423,852 at the 2006 census. The postal code is 450. Towns and villages in Aba South • ...

, and

Osisioma Osisioma Ngwa is a Local Government Areas of Nigeria, Local Government Area of Abia State, Abia state of Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in Osisioma town. It has an area of and a population of 219,632 as per 2006 census data of Nigeria. O ...

References

{{Reflist Populated places in Abia State Buildings and structures completed in 1976 Retail markets in Nigeria 20th-century architecture in Nigeria