In the heart of Bamako, a vibrant market called Médine has become a hub for traders selling everything from bicycles to agricultural equipment.
For Adama Konaté, a bicycle vendor who imports goods from France, the US, the UK, Canada, and China, Médine offers more than just a marketplace for two-wheeled vehicles. He also repairs and assembles new bike parts.
The market is not only a place to buy bicycles but also various accessories for vehicles, including equipment for farming that is hard to find elsewhere.
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Nearby, Drissa Traoré, an artisan, sells a range of products, including fourneaux, coffrets for wedding trousseaus, and grain mills.
Traoré has been working at the market for over a year and feels his income is improving. He attributes this to the demand for equipment that is in short supply.
Fousseyni Sangaré, who sells agricultural equipment, notes that during each rainy season, farmers come to buy various tools and accessories.
Sangaré expresses concern over the recent challenges in delivering equipment to certain rural areas due to security issues. He praises his loyal customers despite the economic downturn.
Adama Konaté, who has been selling bicycles for 27 years, says that Médine is experiencing a boom in demand due to the oil crisis.
