The biggest shopping malls in Africa have, in the past 20 years, left a mark of grace and sophistication around the globe. Rapid urbanisation in African countries and increased tourism demand – locally and internationally – are major reasons behind the existence of these malls.
Developers understand the need for luxury for middle-income earners who run most African economies. These malls provide unique dining, shopping and entertainment experiences that you fall in love with instantly. They are your ultimate lifestyle hubs whenever you are in Africa. You shop, have fun and experience the taste of luxury.
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Which are the Biggest Shopping Malls in Africa?
Below are the biggest malls in Africa.
1. Two Rivers Mall (Kenya)
Two Rivers Mall, Kenya. Photo/Nairobi Fashion Hub
Two Rivers Mall is among the largest malls in East Africa. It’s a major shopping centre in the region, located off the Northern bypass near the affluent suburbs of Runda, Gigiri, Nyari, and Kiambu. In addition to the French retailing behemoth Carrefour, there are luxury fashion brands such as Zara and LC Waikiki. Luxury jewellery brand Swarovski, big apparel and shoe stores like Nike, Adidas, and Mr. Price, sit here.
Popular indoor entertainment provider, Magic Planet, Nove Coffee Roasters and The Designer Studio are among the Kenyan businesses that have set up shop in the mall. Two Rivers, which cost $10 million to build and was partially owned by the investment company Centum, first opened its doors in February 2017. The late Kenyan billionaire Chris Kirubi was a majority shareholder of the company.
2. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping (South Africa)
The Gateway Theatre of Shopping in South Africa – Get It Online Durban
This shopping complex mall is located in the heart of the Gateway District in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping is not only among the biggest shopping malls in Africa but also the largest mall in the Southern Hemisphere. It has over 390 stores and 70 eateries measuring over 220,000 square metres.
This mall opened in 2001, features a diverse selection of South African and worldwide fashion labels. They include Mr. Price, Zara, and Forever New. In addition to a Ster Kinekor 18-cinema complex and an IMAX theatre in the mall, Tony Hawk Skate Park has a shop here. It has a near-vertical ramp and two concrete bowls, and a wave house where local surfers, bodyboarders, and wakeboarders can have fun in the water while honing their surfing skills.
The complex also includes a hotel – The Gateway Hotel – which makes it convenient for visitors to make full use of all of the amenities the mall offers.
3. West Hills Mall (Ghana)
West Hills Mall in Accra, Ghana. Photo/3News
West Hills Mall is a shopping complex located in Ghana. The mall, which is about 30 minutes outside the city’s central business district, is one of the continent’s largest shopping hubs in Accra. Sitting on 23 acres (more than 93,000 square metres) of land, West Hills Mall is home to a diverse mix of local Ghanaian and South African retailers.
There are international brands, with prominent retailers including Shoprite, Edgars, and Palace. Additionally, the mall features a vast entertainment and leisure gallery that is capable of hosting outdoor concerts and theatre performances. It took three years and $93 million to complete its construction. Delico Property Investments built this architectural masterpiece which is one of the biggest malls in South Africa, now hosting Social Security and National Insurance Trust offices since its opening in 2014.
4. The Mall of Arabia Cairo (Egypt)
Mall of Arabia in Cairo. Photo/Mall of Arabia Cairo
The Mall of Arabia is one of the largest shopping malls in Egypt. It features approximately 900 retailers, including well-known names such as Zara, Mango, and LC Waikiki. It has a range of restaurants and coffee cafes, as well as Spinny’s hypermarket, among other things. At the heart of the complex is Egypt’s first dancing fountain, which performs live music every evening until 11 p.m.
The Mall of Arabia is so large that it will take you a couple of days to explore everything there is to see. Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular days to visit the mall, according to shoppers.
5. Game City Mall (Botswana)
Game City Mall in Gaborone, Botswana. Photo/Pulaprop
In Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, sits the largest and busiest mall, Game City Mall. This shopping complex is dedicated to all types of shopping. As one of the biggest shopping malls in Africa, Game City Mall is the busiest in Botswana. The Mall has a total floor area of more than 50,000 square meters and has been in operation since 2003. It is home to a variety of speciality shops, fashion stores, and eateries.
Prominent clothing retailers such as Edgars, Levi’s, and Nike, as well as a huge department store known simply as Game, sit here. KFC, Chicken Inn, and Nando’s are just a few of the popular franchises to choose from.
6. The Novare Lekki Mall (Nigeria)
The Novare Lekki Mall is located in Lagos, Nigeria. Once you are here, you enjoy its status of being among the biggest shopping malls in Africa. It’s usually a beehive of activities with luxury written on all its corners. Located in the increasingly urbanising region of Lekki, the mall opened its doors in August 2016 to serve Lagos. The project, which cost $83 million and covered 22,000 square meters, was undertaken by Novare Real Estate Africa.
Shoprite and Game are examples of anchor stores. Nike, Swatch, and Levi’s are just a few of the brand’s iconic boutiques. In addition, the mall has a theatre, an entertainment centre, and holds mega-events.
7. Business Bay Square (BBS) Mall Eastleigh (Kenya)
BBS Mall Eastleigh is the biggest mall in Eastleigh. Photo/Business Bay Square Mall Eastleigh
Business Bay Square mall (BBS) in Nairobi’s Eastleigh is the crème de la crème of African shopping malls. It has a total floor area of 130,000 square meters, holding ground for mixed commercial use. Luxury shopping brands such as Carrefour, Adidas, H&M, among others, reside here.
What’s unique about the biggest shopping mall in East and Central Africa is that it has an on-site mosque. Eastleigh is a Muslim zone with Somalis running multi-million-dollar businesses. Somalis have a soft spot for comfort, luxury and style, all of which they get at one of the biggest shopping malls in Africa.
