The central market is the working heart of Dodoma — a sprawl of stalls and lock-ups selling fresh produce from the surrounding plateau, dried fish from Lake Victoria, plastic kitchen gear, second-hand clothes, and the omnipresent cheap mobile phones. The vegetable section, where Gogo and Rangi women from the surrounding villages bring tomatoes, onions, and beans, is the most photogenic.
Like every East African market, it is crowded and a little chaotic. Keep an eye on your belongings, agree prices before you buy, and don't be afraid to bargain — but gently, and with humour. Mid-morning is the busiest and most colourful time.