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
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 ...
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