As the Eid al-Fitr festival approaches, the Madina market, the largest trading center in the Guinean capital, is buzzing with activity. Nestled in the heart of Conakry, this commercial hub sees a daily influx of customers in search of shoes, fabrics, and clothing to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

In the crowded aisles, visitors move from one shop to another, while traders make numerous calls and offer promotions to close sales, a SeneWeb Guinea team observed.

A superficial flurry of activity

As every year, the crowds are out in force. Lively discussions, intense haggling, and the shouts of vendors give the market an electric atmosphere. While some meticulously compare prices, others try to negotiate every penny to finalize their purchases. But behind this festive facade, the reality is much bleaker for the economic operators.

Lack of cash: the new nightmare for sellers

At the Avaria market, the activity is just as noticeable, but the cash registers remain desperately empty. The cause: a cash shortage that has paralyzed the country for several months.

“It’s not that customers aren’t coming, but the real problem is the lack of cash,” explains Fatoumata Fadiga, a clothing vendor. Faced with the impossibility of finding cash, electronic payment could have been a solution, but mistrust has taken hold. “Some customers make a deposit via Orange Money, pick up the item, and then cancel the transaction. It’s exhausting. Ultimately, we refuse deposits, and customers can’t find any cash withdrawal points,” she laments.

Stocks lying dormant and families rationing

The same is true for M'Mah Traoré, whose shop is always full of curious onlookers, but no buyers: "Customers come, but they leave because they don't have tickets. Even those who wanted to buy in bulk are limiting themselves to the bare minimum."

At Aminata Alia Camara's hair extension shop, the concern is the same. Despite the arrival of new collections, sales have stalled. The difficulty of obtaining a bank or mobile withdrawal is discouraging even the most motivated.

A plea for help to General Mamadi Doumbouya

Faced with this financial crisis, Conakry's merchants are directly appealing to the authorities, particularly the President of the Transition, General Mamadi Doumbouya. They are demanding emergency measures to facilitate the flow of money before the holiday.

Meanwhile, Guinean families are adapting cautiously. Between rising prices and a scarcity of cash, Eid al-Fitr 2026 is being prepared under the sign of forced austerity, where preserving traditions becomes a real economic feat.