Entrepreneurship is the middle name for the Eastern region of Africa which is why Nairobi, houses the biggest mall in East Africa. The Business Bay Square (BBS) Mall Eastleigh is a stunning piece of architecture and the biggest in East and Central Africa. Malls in East Africa are a diverse reflection of the region’s rich culture and heritage deeply entrenched in business. Moreso, Kenya whose business acumen is a global marvel. Kenya’s bustling business scene has charmed its way to Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam to Kampala in Uganda and beyond. Malls in major East African cities cater to everyone’s tastes and budgets.
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What is the Biggest Mall in East Africa?
The Business Bay Square (BBS) Mall Eastleigh is the biggest mall in East Africa in 2023. Two years in operation; it has taken the place of Two Rivers Mall which was for years the largest mall in the region. This mall has a total floor area of 130,000 square meters. It is a mixed-use development that includes retail, office, residential, and hotel space.
The BBS Mall Eastleigh has a wide range of stores, including international brands such as H&M, Carrefour, and Adidas among others. Local businesses at the mall sell an assortment of goods and services; from clothes and electronics to food and beverages. For entertainment lovers, you get a movie theatre, bowling alley, and arcade. Its exact value is not publicly known but it cost millions of dollars to put up in a prime piece of land in the most commercialized part of Nairobi City, Eastleigh.
Eastleigh is a densely populated area majority of the residents being Somali businessmen and women running multi-million-dollar businesses. It is a popular shopping destination for clothes, footwear, household items, tyres, electronics, jewellery and bureau exchange. Somalis running money exchange firms offer competitive rates compared to other bureaus outside Eastleigh.
While this area is densely populated, what inspired the construction of the biggest mall in East Africa here is its central position in Nairobi’s central business district. There are major transportation hubs here that make it easily accessible to people from all over the city. Ten Commodities and Wholesalers Limited developed the mall which opened in 2021 and has since become a major shopping and entertainment destination for people from all over Kenya and the East African region.
What Are The 5 Biggest Malls In Africa?
Here are the biggest malls in Africa.
Mall Of Arabia (Cairo, Egypt)
The Mall of Arabia in Cairo, Egypt is the biggest mall in Africa with a total floor area of 267,000 square meters. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike and sits in the heart of Cairo’s new urban development, New Cairo. Fawaz Al Hokair Group developed this mall which launched its operations in 2019. Global urban tourists flock to the mall just as much as millions of others visit the Egyptian pyramids.
Morocco Mall (Casablanca, Morocco)
Morocco Mall is the largest shopping mall in Africa and the second-largest in the Arab world, with a total floor area of 250,000 square meters. It is located in Ain Diab, Casablanca, Morocco, and was opened to the public in 2011. The mall has over 600 stores, including international brands such as Galeries Lafayette, H&M, and Zara,
Mall of Africa (Midrand, South Africa)
Located in Waterfall City, Midrand, South Africa, Mall of Africa is the third largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere, with a total floor area of 130,000 square meters. Opened on April 28, 2016, it houses over 300 stores, including international brands such as H&M, Zara, and Apple.
Business Bay Square (BBS) Mall Eastleigh (Nairobi, Kenya)
BBS is the largest mall in Kenya and the biggest mall in East Africa with an enviable total floor space of 130,000 square meters.
Two Rivers Mall (Kenya)
Two Rivers Mall is the second-largest shopping mall in East Africa, with a total floor area of 67,000 square meters. There are over 200 stores with popular international brands.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a traditional African market experience or a modern shopping spree, East Africa has you covered. The BBS Mall Eastleigh remains true to its reputation of being the biggest mall in East Africa.
FAQs
- What is the largest mall to be built in Kenya?
The BBS Mall Eastleigh which opened its doors in 2021 is the biggest mall ever constructed in Kenya after the Two Rivers Mall.
- Which African country has the most malls?
South Africa had the most malls in Africa at 1,785 as of 2018 followed by Nigeria with 106 and Kenya with 67.