Entrepreneurs invest at night to conquer new markets (2/2) November 3, 2026

In support of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the Dakar Night Market took place at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), from October 31 to November 13. For this exceptional seventh edition of fourteen nights, around a hundred exhibitors are taking over the university alleys. Between natural products, cosmetics, perfumes, fashion and gastronomy, entrepreneurs take advantage of this showcase to gain visibility, meet new customers and showcase their know-how. A commercial and friendly meeting which aims to give another dimension to local entrepreneurship.

It’s not yet midnight, but business is in full swing in the alleys of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Under the lights of the stands, exhibitors welcome visitors, present their products and answer questions from the curious. Almost everywhere, scents mingle with the aromas of culinary preparations. From clothing to fashion accessories, including cosmetic products and local specialties, the offer is as varied as the profiles of the entrepreneurs present. At the entrance, a fast bus in blue and yellow colors recalls the familiar decor of the Dakar streets. It is in this atmosphere that the Dakar Night Market takes place, a night market which intends to make the night a new niche for commerce and meetings.

Read also: Entrepreneurs invest at night to conquer new markets (2/2)

The initiative is led by chef Aziz, founder of Cowaf. At the origin of the concept, requests from entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in the food sector, looking for physical spaces to present their products and meet their customers beyond digital. Inspired by the night markets discovered during a trip to Asia, the project gradually took shape with the ambition of becoming a periodic event. “It’s not a traditional fair where you come and go, but a fair where you can come and listen, talk, meet people, network, but also sell and buy,” he explains.

Usually organized on Fridays and Saturdays, the Dakar Night Market is this time held over fourteen nights, from October 31 to November 13, due to the YOG. An extension which makes it possible to accommodate around a hundred exhibitors, compared to around sixty during ordinary editions. With the support of ADEPME, the event intends to offer more visibility to entrepreneurs and take advantage of the presence of foreign visitors to promote local products. For chef Aziz, the challenge is to allow visitors to leave with memories of Senegal, but also with creations and products resulting from the know-how of its entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs seeking new customers

Among the exhibitors, Angelina Uloma Nwachukwu focuses on products from natural agriculture. It presents a range including hand care, lip products, oils and butters. For her, the Dakar Night Market is an opportunity to get closer to consumers and introduce them to the products she is developing. His third participation demonstrates his interest in the concept. His commitment to organic farming was born from a personal experience related to health, in 2015. What was initially a passion gradually became a commercial activity, but also a way to escape the daily stress of his work.

This edition, organized in the context of the YOG, raises new expectations for the exhibitor, who hopes to meet more customers. However, she recognizes that attendance is still low at the start of the event.

In another world, that of perfumery, Fatma Fall also showcases her know-how. At her stand, the beautiful scents provide ample information about her activity. Promoter of the Joli Aroma brand, she offers perfumes for the home, car and body. A regular at the Dakar Night Market, where she is participating for the fourth time, she particularly appreciates this format which allows her to reach a different clientele. “It’s a great experience,” she confides. In a context marked by high temperatures and traffic jams during the day, nighttime outings represent, according to her, another opportunity for consumers to do their shopping. Even if she has not yet noticed exceptional attendance, she sees this meeting as a great opportunity to present her products and make her brand known.

A market, but also a meeting place

If entrepreneurs come above all to seek visibility and commercial opportunities, visitors find there an opportunity to combine shopping with relaxation. In the aisles, families move between the stands, discover the products and enjoy the entertainment.

For some, the appointment has become a habit. Doriane, an Ivorian living in Senegal, is on her seventh participation. Coming with her family, she appreciates the diversity of the offering and the atmosphere of the market. “It’s an innovative concept. There’s atmosphere, good food and it’s good because not everyone can come and shop during the day. These are golden opportunities,” she believes.

For Momar Lo, the discovery was made on social networks. Accompanied by his wife and their five-year-old daughter, he took advantage of this Sunday to visit the stands. “There’s a little bit of everything. I find it innovative and interesting, especially since there are areas for children,” he appreciates. His wife, Aminata Thiam, shares her enthusiasm at the diversity of the products on display. If she hasn’t bought anything yet, the clothes presented on the stands are already starting to tempt her.

For visitors, the meeting offers a space for discovery and conviviality. A meeting between the local offer and an audience that the organizers hope to be ever more numerous.

Arame NDIAYE