Bakaaraha Market is one of the largest open-air markets in East Africa, and for much of the civil war period it was also the largest unregulated arms market in the world — a grim distinction. Weapons, ammunition, and military equipment moved through its stalls alongside food, cloth, electronics, and livestock. The arms trade has been suppressed as federal government authority has extended, but the market's scale has not diminished.
Today Bakaaraha is primarily a commercial market dealing in food staples, imported goods, telecommunications equipment, and consumer products. It is also a major hub for the Somali remittance economy — money transfer operators (hawalas) cluster here, processing the funds sent by the Somali diaspora in Europe, North America, and the Gulf, which constitute a significant portion of the country's economy. Walking through the market with a local guide gives you a ground-level view of how Mogadishu's commerce actually functions. Going without guidance is not advisable.