Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how shopping complexes have radically altered Kenya's commercial landscape by transforming the use of space. Based on anthropological research, it describes the evolution of Somali shopping complexes in Nairobi and Nakuru, and explores their implications for Kenyan commerce.

Paper long abstract:

In the last two decades a tremendous change took place in the Kenyan retail business based on new forms of utilising commercial space. Starting in the now famous neighbourhood of Eastleigh (Nairobi), Somali traders, many of them refugees, established shopping complexes that follow a different spatial logic than the markets and shops that existed previously. These Somalis began by trading from small hotel rooms, before enterprising investors saw opportunity to transform these hotels into malls, creating a model of large buildings crammed with tiny stalls. Such shopping complexes combine elements of open air markets and Western style shopping malls. The goods sold are mainly cheap textiles, leather and electronics, imported from China, Dubai, Turkey, Thailand or Indonesia. While open-air markets are open, public places, these shopping complexes are privately owned, often with opaque chains of rights to business premises through brokers, owners, leasers and subleasers. These transformations of the usage of space emerged as much out of necessity as design, but were taken up as a role model quickly, not just in Nairobi but elsewhere in Kenya too. While the model cannot be said to have completely 'democratised' business, it has offered up opportunities to many previously excluded from shop ownership. This presentation is based on anthropological research with Somali businesspeople in Kenya.