Mercato is the largest open air market in Africa, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business
entities. The primary merchandise passing through the Mercato is locally-grown agricultural products — most notably coffee.
The Addis Mercato was instituted by segregationist policies of the Italian occupational government. Merkato is said to have been established as a marketplace during the Italian occupation, when it was called Merkato Indigino – market of the indigenous. The intention was to marginalise the local marketers from the centre of the city, Arada Ghiorgis, which the Italians called Piazza and where they opened shops for their convenience.[1] They restricted the historic St. George Mercato to Europeans, causing the mostly Arab tradesmen to relocate a half mile to the west. Over time, local shopkeepers displaced the Arab merchants and, since the 1960s, the Addis Mercato has had a mostly local flavor.
The Addis Mercato has over 150 stores and four massive shopping centers with 75 stores.
Notable landmarks near the Mercato include the Al-Anwar Mosque and the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
