Lamine Doumbia

In this research project, we investigate the dynamics of urban markets in West Africa by analysing their economic, social, spatial, and political dimensions, with a particular emphasis on the challenges related to the use of market spaces increasingly shaped by neoliberal municipal policies. While markets are widely recognised for their central economic role, their multifaceted functions and broader impacts remain underexplored. Utilising an interdisciplinary analytical framework, the study draws on case studies from Bamako, Accra, and Kumasi to explore the complex interactions among municipal authorities, endogenous leadership, and market traders. The project has three main objectives: to examine local perceptions and meanings of markets, to assess municipal management strategies, and to explore traders’ responses among others to bureaucratic governance. Through a mixed-methods approach, including field surveys, document analysis, and interviews, the research produces rich empirical insights that expand the understanding of urban markets beyond mere economic transactions, highlighting their vital social and political roles. Ultimately, the project sheds light on the multifaceted nature of urban market networks in Africa and their deep embeddedness within the socio-economic fabric of the cities studied, offering valuable contributions to the social sciences and humanities.