Shopping in Abuja - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

Shopping for original African souvenirs should be a mandatory part of every vacation in Abuja. Don’t forget that bank card payments are not widespread in the city even nowadays. Only some shops in large shopping centers accept card payments. If you plan to make purchases in small shops or at the market, you will certainly need cash. Don’t forget to bargain in small private shops, galleries, and when dealing with sellers in the market. Bargaining is an essential part of the local culture. Moreover, it can help to lower the prices significantly.

Do you like practical souvenirs? In this case, take a look at the locally produced textiles. In Abuja, tourists can easily buy inexpensive clothes made from natural fibers. Women traditionally enjoy buying all kinds of shawls and scarves. The choice of home textiles is also great, and goods of this category are usually high-quality ones. Many shops offer fabrics by the meter. Bedcovers made in traditional for Africa black and white colors are also fantastic souvenirs that tourists can bring from Nigeria.

If you want to shop for more expensive accessories, take a look at natural leather items. They are produced by local craftsmen. Leather belts, wallets, and purses are distinguished by high quality and look very stylish. If you prefer exclusive souvenirs and are ready to pay more for them, you will like accessories made from crocodile and snake leather. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the business district of Abuja lies a magnificent village of craftsmen. This is an ideal destination to shop for souvenirs. There is a whole quarter dedicated to this. Numerous clay houses in the village are actually workshops. During a stroll here, it is possible to see thousands of incredible handmade accessories. Here, visitors can buy wooden masks in African style, ceramics, all kinds of amulets, and wonderful paintings and clothes in the national style. Some of the souvenirs like African musical instruments look totally incredible. Women usually like gorgeous jewelry made from wood and various stones.

Do you like bringing unique artworks from your holidays abroad? In this case, visit Nike Art Gallery. One important thing distinguishes this gallery from a usual museum – absolutely all artworks exhibited here are available for purchase. The gallery offers not only works of local amateur artists but also famous African painters. That is why the price of some paintings can be more than US$10,000. Even if you are not ready to make such expensive purchases, it is still interesting to visit the gallery. There is a department with interesting wooden crafts, glass beads jewelry, and other inexpensive souvenirs.

Abuja is famous for its high-class jewelry workshops. Tourists can buy exclusive gold and silver jewelry with precious or semiprecious stones at a beneficial price here. Don’t forget that it is better to buy fine jewelry in special shops only. The jewelry sold at the markets can be overpriced and there is a risk to buy a fake. That being said, do not blindly trust absolutely all jewelry shops. The shops that sell gold and silver jewelry with precious or semiprecious stones must provide their buyers with a certificate of quality. Ask whether a shop gives such certificates if you make a purchase. If the answer is no, don’t waste your time and head to another shop.

Some shops in Abuja specialize in selling wonderful jewelry made from copper, glass beads, wood, and other materials. Some accessories look unusual for foreign guests. For example, items made from the ostrich eggshell are inexpensive and cost around US$1.

When it comes to eatable souvenirs, take a look at cocoa – Nigeria is one of the world’s leaders in manufacturing this product. Peanuts are also cultivated in the region. Packages with these nuts are sold everywhere at a low price. Local supermarkets are the best place to shop for food souvenirs.

Jabi Lake Mall is one of the most famous shopping centers in Abuja. It offers both local and imported products. You will like affordable clothing and shoe shops and quality jewelry salons that are open in Jabi Lake Mall. There is a supermarket on the first floor of the shopping center, and it sells all products that are popular in the region. The stock of fresh fruit won’t let you leave the supermarket without buying at least something. Besides that, there are shops with souvenirs in the African style and many attractive restaurants and cafes in this shopping center. Ceddi Plaza is a smaller shopping mall but it still has many interesting goods for sale and famous pastry stores.