Last Updated on 29 November 2025
A new ultra-modern market in Cotonou, Benin Republic has gone viral on Nigerian X (Twitter), sparking millions of views and thousands of comments. The question on everyone’s lips:
“Why can’t we have this in Nigeria?”
We visited Marché Ganhi (Dantokpa New Generation) and compared it with Nigeria’s biggest markets to see if the hype is real. Here’s the full breakdown.
Marché Ganhi – Cotonou, Benin
- Opened: 2025
- Size: 23 hectares (230,000 m²)
- Capacity: 10,000+ shops & lock-up stores
Key Features:
- Wide, fully paved roads for two trucks
- Covered roofing in almost every section
- Modern drainage system – no flooding
- Loading/off-loading bays
- Solar-powered street lights
- Fire hydrants & emergency lanes
- Clean, modern toilet blocks
- Escalators and elevators in some sections
- Parking for 2,000+ vehicles
- CCTV & security posts throughout
- Waste management & recycling points
Trader feedback:
- “This one pain me pass Lagos own”
- “See space! No trader go dey block road again”
- “Even the floor clean pass some Nigerian malls”
How Nigeria’s Top “Modern” Markets Compare
| Market (Nigeria) | Roads | Roofing | Drainage | Toilets | Parking | Verdict vs Cotonou |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaba Int’l, Lagos | Partial | No | Poor | Very poor | Chaos | Far behind |
| Computer Village, Ikeja | No | No | Terrible | Almost none | Street chaos | Not even close |
| Main Market Onitsha | Partial | Partial | Poor | Bad | Very limited | Struggling |
| Ariaria Market, Aba | Partial | Minimal | Poor | Bad | Limited | Still recovering |
| Ultra-Modern Market Owerri | Yes | Partial | Decent | Decent | Limited | Closest competitor |
| Bodija Market Ibadan | Yes | Partial | Fair | Fair | Limited | Decent effort |
Feature Comparison: Benin vs Nigeria
| Feature | Marché Ganhi | Best Nigerian Equivalent | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roads & Paving | 10/10 | Owerri (7/10) | Benin |
| Roofing | 9/10 | None close | Benin |
| Drainage | 10/10 | Owerri (6/10) | Benin |
| Toilets | 9/10 | Owerri (5/10) | Benin |
| Parking | 9/10 | Almost zero | Benin |
| Security & CCTV | 10/10 | Minimal | Benin |
| Fire Safety | 10/10 | Poor | Benin |
| Trader Comfort | 10/10 | Alaba/Onitsha = 2/10 | Benin |
| Aesthetics | 10/10 | Owerri (6/10) | Benin |
Why Benin Is Winning
- Political will & continuity – The project started and finished on schedule.
- Smart funding model – Public-private partnership with clear repayment.
- No land-grabbing drama – Traders temporarily relocated, then moved back.
- Design first, politics later – Architects studied Singapore & Morocco markets.
Nigerian excuses we hear:
- “Our population is bigger” → Ghana’s Makola & Kejetia are huge yet organized.
- “No money” → Marché Ganhi cost ~$300 million; Lagos State’s 2025 budget is over $2B.
- “Traders will destroy it” → Kejetia Market in Ghana opened in 2023 and still looks new.
Final Verdict
As of November 2025, Marché Ganhi is the most modern, cleanest, and best-planned market in West Africa.
Nigeria has the funds, engineers, traders, and demand. What it lacks is political will and transparent execution.
Until a Nigerian state or the federal government delivers a market that competes, that viral video will continue to sting – because it’s more than a market. It’s a reminder of what disciplined governance can achieve in under 5 years.
Question for readers:
Which Nigerian state could build the first market to beat Cotonou? Drop your state and why in the comments!
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