This RocApply guide helps you figure some of the shopping in the DRC! Locally-made products such as paintings, ebony carvings and bracelets make the best souvenirs from the Congo.
Cities and larger towns have contemporary shopping centers and traditional marketplaces selling everything from African carvings and hand-woven baskets to fresh produce.
Plenty of modern and western style shops exist here! There are many malls that are designed by Congolese with foreign visitors in mind. They all have the feel and atmosphere of typical western shopping malls, with a blend of supermarkets, luxury goods and fast food outlets.
If you want luxury goods, especially European and American brands, then the Kinshasa malls are probably your best bet especially if you like to do all your shopping in one place. Most shops are open Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The capital, Kinshasa, is the hub to most of the DRC’s best supermarkets where you can get soap, kitchenware, food, and beverages. Other items to consider buying here include Katanga hand painted art, copper masks and wood carvings.
Also worth mentioning is the famous kuba wrap, which is made from the fiber of raffia palm plums. Ivory pendants and collectible power figurines that stand with their arms crossed are popular, too.
Souvenirs and local crafts can be purchased from boutiques run by the government, but there are also original items sold in roadside stalls. One must be willing to deal with persuasive merchants to get the best deals.
There are plenty of shopping opportunities for those searching for good quality souvenirs, as well as everyday items, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The bigger towns and cities, such as Kinshasa, all have several larger shops and stores, together with traditional African markets. You can also purchase gifts from the abundance of small craft workshops that are dotted around the country.
Shops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are generally open from Monday to Saturday, opening at 08:00 and closing for lunch at 12:00. In the afternoon, most shops open from around 15:00 to 18:00, except on Saturdays, when shops tend to close early in the afternoons.
RocApply Tips:
- As with other facets of life in Congolese, food, and grocery are also sold in their local currency, so ensure to make all the necessary conversions and move around with a little local cash on you. Many of the establishments only accept the USD.
- As a newcomer, some of the names of the items might confuse you, please use any online translator services to check the correct French word for whatever you are searching for.
- Always ask for help or directions from fellow students and if you can't find any around you then ask even the locals they are always happy to assist foreigners and visitors.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
