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Markets in Gambia
Gambia
A guide to the best markets for resellers
Market / Lumo
📖 Gambia's market scene is a vibrant, chaotic, and rewarding experience for resellers. Dominated by large, sprawling open-air markets like Serekunda and Albert Market, the real gems are often found in the specialized sections within them or at the weekly rural markets known as 'Lumos'. Bargaining is essential and expected. The focus is on second-hand clothing imported from Europe, locally made crafts, traditional textiles, and a growing market for used electronics.
8 markets
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Serekunda Market
📍 Serekunda
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Address
Sayerr Jobe Avenue, Serekunda, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, approx. 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
The largest and most chaotic market in Gambia, a sprawling labyrinth of stalls selling absolutely everything. It's divided into sections, including a large area for second-hand clothes ('fokas'), electronics, and household goods.
💰 What to buy here
Second-hand European Clothing ('Fokas')
Buy50-300 GMD per item
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Sell online200-800 GMD on Facebook Marketplace/Instagram
Look for brand names and items with minimal wear. Check zippers and seams carefully before buying.
Used Mobile Phones & Accessories
Buy800-2500 GMD for basic smartphones
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Sell online1500-4000 GMD on Facebook Marketplace or Jumia Deals
Test the phone on the spot if possible. Focus on popular brands like Samsung or Tecno which are easier to resell.
Fake Designer Bags & Shoes
Buy300-1000 GMD
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Sell online800-2000 GMD on Instagram, clearly marked as replicas
Check the quality of stitching and hardware. Some replicas are better than others and fetch higher prices.
Local Spices and Dried Hibiscus
Buy50-150 GMD per bag
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Sell onlinePackage nicely and sell as 'authentic Gambian' gift sets for
Buy from vendors who look busy with local customers, ensuring freshness.
Tip:Go on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds. The second-hand clothing section is vast; focus on stalls deeper inside the market for better prices away from the main walkways.
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Royal Albert Market
📍 Banjul
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Address
Liberation Avenue, Banjul, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Banjul's main market, a historic and sprawling hub known for textiles, crafts, and produce. It's slightly more organized than Serekunda but equally intense. It has distinct sections for tourist crafts and local goods.
💰 What to buy here
African Wax Print Fabrics
Buy400-800 GMD for 6 yards
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Sell online1000-2500 GMD on Instagram or to local tailors
Learn to spot quality Dutch or Gambian wax prints versus cheaper Chinese copies. The feel and color vibrancy are key.
Hand-carved Wooden Masks
Buy200-1000 GMD depending on size/detail
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Sell online25-100 USD on eBay/Etsy for international buyers
Look for older, more detailed pieces with signs of use. Avoid the shiny, mass-produced tourist items.
Handmade Jewelry
Buy100-400 GMD
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Sell online400-1200 GMD on Instagram or at tourist craft markets
Focus on unique designs using beads, seeds, and recycled materials. Quality of the clasps and strings is important.
Second-hand Lingerie
Buy25-100 GMD
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Sell online100-300 GMD at a local stall or online
A surprisingly huge section of the market, this is a high-volume, low-margin business for local resellers.
Tip:The textile section is a highlight. Ask vendors about the origin of the fabrics; authentic wax prints hold more value than cheaper imports.
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Brikama Craft Market
📍 Brikama
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Address
Brikama Highway, Brikama, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The main hub for Gambian craftsmanship, especially woodworking. It's less a flea market and more a collection of artisan workshops where you can buy directly from the makers.
💰 What to buy here
Djembe Drums
Buy500-2000 GMD
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Sell online50-150 EUR on eBay to international music enthusiasts
Check the quality of the wood (no cracks) and the tension of the goat skin. A deep, resonant sound is key.
Carved Wooden Game Boards (Wari)
Buy300-700 GMD
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Sell online30-60 USD on Etsy as a decorative or functional piece
Look for boards made from heavy, dense wood like mahogany. The quality of the carving indicates its value.
Handmade Wooden Furniture
Buy1500-5000 GMD for a stool or small table
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Sell onlineHigh-value export item; can sell for 200-500 USD on platform
Focus on smaller, easily shippable items. Look for unique designs that blend traditional and modern styles.
Tip:Go to the back of the market to find the actual workshops. You can negotiate better prices there and even commission custom pieces. Many tourist shops in Senegambia buy their stock here.
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Farafenni Lumo (Weekly Market)
📍 Farafenni
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Address
Farafenni, North Bank Division, The Gambia
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Open
Sundays, approx. 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
A major weekly market ('Lumo') that serves as a vital trade hub for Gambia and neighboring Senegal. It's a true cross-section of rural West African commerce, with everything from livestock to mobile phones.
💰 What to buy here
Second-hand Tools & Farm Equipment
Buy100-1000 GMD
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Sell online250-2500 GMD on Facebook Marketplace to local buyers
Look for quality European brands that have been imported. Check for rust and damage, but many items just need cleaning.
Goods from Senegal/Mali
BuyVaries
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Sell onlineVaries, sell on Facebook Marketplace
Traders from neighboring countries bring unique textiles, leather goods, and spices. Spotting these items requires a good eye.
Locally Made Pottery
Buy50-200 GMD
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Sell online20-40 USD on Etsy for unique, decorative pieces
Look for traditional designs and firing techniques. These are fragile but can be profitable if shipped carefully.
Tip:Arrive very early (by 8 AM) to see the best goods before they are picked over by other traders. This is a great place to source goods unavailable in the coastal areas.
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Tanji Fish Market
📍 Tanji
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Address
Tanji Beach, Kombo South, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, busiest late afternoon when boats return
Primarily a chaotic and incredibly photogenic fish market, but the surrounding area has numerous stalls selling other goods, including clothing, housewares, and crafts to the large crowds that gather daily.
💰 What to buy here
Fishing Nets and Gear
Buy200-1500 GMD
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Sell onlineSell as decorative/nautical art on Etsy/eBay for 30-80 USD
Look for old, hand-mended nets with character. Glass floats, if you can find them, are particularly valuable.
Painted Pirogue (Boat) Fragments
BuyNegotiable, often free or very cheap
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Sell online50-200 USD on Etsy as 'African Folk Art'
Look for broken pieces of the brightly painted fishing boats. These make unique wall art. Ask fishermen for damaged sections.
Flip-flops and Plastic Shoes
Buy50-150 GMD
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Sell online150-300 GMD on Facebook Marketplace
A massive market for cheap footwear. Buy in bulk from wholesalers here to resell in other areas.
Tip:The main event is the fish, but the real reseller opportunities are in the stalls on the edges of the market. Visit around 4 PM to experience the peak energy.
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Basse Market
📍 Basse Santa Su
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Address
Basse Santa Su, Upper River Division, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, with a major 'Lumo' on Thursdays
The most important market in the eastern part of Gambia. It was recently rebuilt into a modern complex but retains its vibrant character. It's a major hub for trade with Guinea and Senegal.
💰 What to buy here
Leather Goods (Fula Craft)
Buy200-800 GMD for bags/sandals
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Sell online25-60 USD on Etsy
Look for high-quality, hand-stitched leatherwork. The Fula people are renowned for their craftsmanship.
Woven Baskets and Mats
Buy150-500 GMD
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Sell online20-50 USD on Etsy/eBay for home decor
Focus on colorful, intricate patterns. These are lightweight and relatively easy to ship internationally.
Earthenware Pottery
Buy100-300 GMD
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Sell online400-800 GMD on Facebook Marketplace for local decor
A specialty of the Basse region, especially during the Thursday Lumo. Very popular locally for cooking and water storage.
Tip:The Thursday Lumo is the best day to visit, attracting traders from hundreds of kilometers away. Look for goods that are distinct to the Fula and Serahule ethnic groups common in this region.
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Janjanbureh Market
📍 Janjanbureh (Georgetown)
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Address
Janjanbureh, Central River Division, The Gambia
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Open
Daily, mornings are busiest
A historic market on an island deep up the Gambia River. Due to its history as a colonial administrative center and a settlement for freed slaves, one can occasionally find older, unique items here.
💰 What to buy here
Colonial-era Antiques (bottles, coins, hardware)
Buy50-500 GMD
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Sell online20-100 USD on eBay to collectors
Very rare, but possible to find. Look for old glass bottles, British colonial coins, or old door hardware in the miscellaneous junk stalls.
Old Books and Documents
BuyHighly variable
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Sell onlineHighly variable, potentially valuable on eBay
Extremely rare, but the historic nature of the town makes it a place to look. Check for anything pre-independence.
Kankurang Festival Masks & Costumes
Buy1000-5000 GMD
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Sell online100-300 USD on eBay to collectors of African art
Janjanbureh is a center for the Kankurang tradition. You may find artisans selling masks or costume elements.
Tip:Engage with older vendors and ask about the history of items. The market is less about volume and more about the potential for a rare find.
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Wassu Lumo (Weekly Market)
📍 Wassu
🏠
Address
Wassu, Central River Division, The Gambia
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Open
Mondays, all day
A vibrant weekly market near the famous Wassu Stone Circles. It attracts people from all surrounding villages and traders from Senegal, selling everything from livestock to Chinese electronics.
💰 What to buy here
Traditional Medicines and Potions
Buy50-300 GMD
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Sell onlineFor personal knowledge/collection only, not for resale due t
Fascinating to see, with vendors selling a huge array of herbs, barks, and animal parts.
Livestock (Goats, Sheep)
Buy1500-4000 GMD
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Sell onlineResell at major festivals like Tobaski for a 20-40% markup.
A serious local business. Requires knowledge of animal health and market timing.
Used Bicycles and Parts
Buy500-2000 GMD
→
Sell online800-3000 GMD on Facebook Marketplace
Bicycles are a key form of transport. Look for sturdy European models that can be easily repaired and resold.
Tip:Combine a sourcing trip with a visit to the stone circles. The market is a great place to find goods intended for the local rural population, which can be unique.