Mogadishu, 17 September 2015 – UN-Habitat and the Benadir Regional Administration on Thursday signed a letter of agreement outlining their cooperation for the rehabilitation of Sinay Market in Warta Nabada District, Mogadishu.

Mohamed Ahmed Diiriye, acting Mayor of Mogadishu, and Prof. Oyebanji Oyeyinka, Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa, signed the agreement at the Benadir Regional Administration (BRA) office in Mogadishu. The agreement details the participatory planning processes with the market vendors and the community, discusses the administration’s lead role, and outlines the support being given to the Market Management Committee and the BRA Market Department.

The rehabilitation of the market is part of UN-Habitat’s Job Creation through Public Market Rehabilitation Project, which is funded by Sweden and implemented by the Benadir Regional Administration, UN-Habitat, CESVI, and Human Relief Foundation.

Rehabilitating the market is part of a larger initiative for the urban renewal of the area. This unique approach does not only provide improved infrastructure, but incorporates space for outdoor vendors and includes a solid waste management station, access roads, a café, and a children’s playground made from creatively designed recycled items. The area will eventually also include cultural and vocational centres, a youth centre, a school, and a prayer hall.

The meat and vegetable market hall (with indoor stalls) has been completed, and the project’s current focus is on the playground and the outdoor market stalls. UN-Habitat, the Benadir Regional Administration, and partners will be involved in “activating” the market – that is, promoting community events in the public space to help it realize its full potential.