The Luanda Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Mbita, Homa Bay county, is nearing completion, marking a major milestone in efforts to enhance trade and economic activities along the Lake Victoria shoreline.
According to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the project is a key national infrastructure development initiative aimed at opening up the lakefront for organised trade and commerce. Developed under the Economic Stimulus Programme and aligned with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the market is expected to provide a more structured and conducive business environment for local traders.
The facility is designed to transition small-scale traders from informal roadside operations into a permanent, dignified and weather-proof marketplace, strengthening the region’s commercial ecosystem and improving livelihoods.
Construction is currently in its final phase, with ongoing works including terrazzo floor finishing, window installation, water tank fabrication, and both interior and exterior painting.
Strategically located in Kasgunga Ward, an emerging centre for lakefront trade and tourism, the two-storey market will accommodate 204 traders. The ground floor will host 120 stalls, while the first floor will contain 84 stalls.
Details of the Luanda ESP Market
Beyond providing trading spaces, the market incorporates several modern amenities aimed at supporting business growth and community welfare. These include a cold storage unit to preserve fish and other perishable goods, an ICT hub, administrative offices, and a social hall.
Additional facilities such as a lactating mothers’ room, children’s play area, food court, kitchen, modern sanitation facilities, waste management systems, and a borehole water supply are expected to enhance convenience and inclusivity for traders and visitors alike.
The project has also generated employment opportunities for local residents during the construction phase while equipping youth and artisans with valuable technical skills.
Luanda ESP Market
