Bamako’s Market of Médine is a hub of economic activity, where vendors from France, the United States, England, Canada, and China set up shop. Adama Konaté, a vendor of imported bicycles, not only sells them but also repairs and assembles new wheels.
Not just bicycles, the market offers a wide range of products, including vehicle accessories and even agricultural equipment.
Artisans like Drissa Traoré sell handmade items such as fourneaux, coffrets for weddings, and broyeurs d’arachide. He attributes his success to working at the market for over a year and praises the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure.
Fousseyni Sangaré, another vendor, explains that during the rainy season, farmers come to buy agricultural equipment such as charrues and dabas. However, he notes that this year’s challenges include accessing certain regions due to insecurity.
As for Adama Konaté, he has been in the business of repairing, assembling, and selling bicycles for 27 years. He attributes the market’s boom to the current energy crisis.
