Gobonimo Market

Gobonimo Market
Suuqa Gobonimo سوق جوبونيمو
Location of Gobonimo Market
General information
Type	Market
Location	Hargeisa, Somaliland
Country	Somaliland
Coordinates	9°33′36″N 44°3′54″E
Known for	One of the largest open-air markets in Hargeisa
Other information
Number of stores	Hundreds of small businesses

Gobonimo Market (Somali: Suuqa Gobonimo, Arabic: سوق جوبونيمو), is a major commercial market located in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland. It is one of the largest and most important marketplaces in the city, providing a vital source of livelihood for thousands of traders and workers. The market is well-known for its dense network of shops, ranging from clothing and household goods to electronics, fresh produce, and traditional Somali crafts.

Overview

Gobonimo Market, a bustling trade hub in Somaliland, is a vital economic center in Hargeisa. It hosts hundreds of shops and vendors selling a wide variety of goods, including clothing, electronics, food items, and household products. The market plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of many local traders and the broader community. Like many Somali markets, Gobonimo Market is characterized by narrow alleyways and tightly packed stalls, which allow traders to maximize limited space but also create challenges for movement, safety, and emergency response.

2025 Fire Incident

On February 2, 2025, a massive fire engulfed Gobonimo Market, causing widespread destruction. The blaze started in the early hours and rapidly spread through the market's dense arrangement of shops and stalls. Poor road access hindered firefighting efforts, complicating attempts to control the fire promptly. The fire destroyed approximately 500 shops, severely impacting the businesses and livelihoods of many traders in Hargeisa. The cause of the fire has been under investigation, with initial reports not confirming a precise origin.

Future plans

Local authorities have indicated plans to modernize parts of Gobonimo Market by improving road access, drainage, and stall construction. There have also been proposals to introduce fire safety regulations, following lessons learned from both the Gobonimo and Waheen Market fires.