Cape Town
With the Cape Quarter's original 20-year-old location undergoing a major renovation, the shopping mall action has moved over to the newer, larger block…
Must-see shopping in Africa
Zanzibar Town
The phrase 'Aladdin's Cave' can be overused, but not here. Step inside for floor-to-ceiling displays of gifts and souvenirs, and browse with no pressure…
Marrakesh
Since a modern revamp was imposed upon it, Place des Ferblantiers has lost its gritty appeal as a centuries-old communion of metalworkers. Just a couple…
Lesotho
You can buy the work of 12 local cooperatives at this showroom and workshop, by the main road about 2km before Teyateyaneng (coming from Maseru). Items…
Senegal
Les Ateliers Tësss displays and sells beautiful woven textiles, which feature natural dyes and high-quality organic cotton. The remarkable gallery keeps…
Harare
Harare, sleepy? Not in the hectic Mbare area where this infamous market has a heady mix of fresh produce and random goods. It's the curios that bring most…
Rabat
Rabat’s first concept store stocks a stylish range of homeware, clothes, jewellery and accessories by modern Moroccan designers, as well as international…
Fez
If you've been admiring the zellige-look ceramic dishes on which your riad breakfast is probably served, you can find them at this friendly shop…
Cape Town
Among the retail options to hunt out here are the second-hand bookshop Blank Books, the owner of which writes the local blog www.ilovewoodstock.co.za and…
Northern Atlantic Coast
This shiny new government-sponsored complex was created to preserve Azemmour's traditional crafts, and includes workshops, training rooms and space for…
Marrakesh
Tried and tested techniques in weaving, leather work and embroidery are transformed into high-fashion dandy jackets, djellaba-inspired velvet capes and…
Johannesburg
The southern hemisphere's largest bookshop is a curious affair. Some two million volumes and around half a million LP records and other collectables are…
Mpumalanga
In the century-old iron and steel works building, Pilgrim & Crown sells a range of crafts including Umjindi's stunning silver jewellery. Umjindi's…
Chefchaouen
This cooperative lined wall-to-wall-to-wall with rugs and blankets may be a challenge to find down an alley near Bab El Ain, but it's worth the hunt. The…
Johannesburg
David Krut offers a wide selection of art books along with local fiction and non-fiction. Also an art gallery, it hosts regular exhibitions of local…
Fez
This large artisan-training school is outside of the medina proper and a bit out of the way, but a great destination for the savvy shopper who wants to…
Cape Town
There's lots to choose from at this large monthly craft market spread across the commons outside Kirstenbosch. It’s possible to use a credit card to pay…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
One of several galleries at Imhoff Farm, Cape Town artists Marc Alexander and Donna McKellar's space exhibits their oil paintings and prints in a former…
Cape Town
Two Spanish girls are the creative team behind this women's espadrille-making operation. They have some styles already made up, but you can also create…
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Indulge in local produce at Abderrahim's shop with its glistening array of the best olives from the region: green ones with garlic or preserved lemon,…
Cape Town
The brainchild of designer Keith Henning and Jody Paulsen, this stylish boutique stocks clothes such as shirts, shorts and trousers under the Adriaan…
Cape Town
The super-colourful ceramics of Clementina van der Walt take their inspiration from the geometric patterns of Zulu and Ndebele beadwork, and traditional…
Cape Town
Balu Nivison's designs using original print fabrics are temptingly displayed in this chic boutique in one of the heritage cottages behind Cavendish Square…
Lusaka
A popular shopping stop for tourists, this open-air market comprises thatch-roofed huts and stalls selling carvings, baskets, masks, drums, fabrics and…
Nosy Be
Local essential oils of ylang-ylang, black pepper, katrafay (Malagasy bush tree) and more scent the air here, where you can also stock up on honey, spices…
Northern Tanzania
Run by the local Maasai Women's Bead Co-op, this is the pick of the roadside souvenir shops that you find in this corner of the country. It all revolves…
Dadès Valley
Coming from Skoura, this rosewater distillery is located on the right 500m before the town. A cooperative of five farms, every element of the rose is used…
Addis Ababa
If you’re interested in blankets, Ethiopian wedding attire or traditional clothing like a shamma (shawl worn by highlander men), head to this group of…
Cape Town
Two fashion businesses share premises here: Missibaba, the brand of Capetonian designer Chloe Townsend, who hand-makes colourful bags, belts and other…
Kâat Ben Nahid & Bab Debbagh
This friendly workshop and store sells fixed-price hand-loomed cotton, wool, silk and linen scarves of exceptional quality. You're welcome to watch them…
Tafraoute
A good range of Amazigh (Berber) and Tuareg products, including pottery, jewellery, blankets and camel-wool kilims (carpets). Products are sourced from…
Kigali
This association of more than 40 stalls has banded together to market itself as Caplaki, although each stall is an independent business. As you would…
Cape Town
A large yellow banana sticking out of the shop front greets you at this surfboard and fashion store. All the colourful products are locally designed and…
West Coast & Swartland
Specialising in handmade toffees, Darling Sweet is a popular addition to the town's foodie scene. You can watch the toffee being made then indulge in a…
Ncumcara Community Forestry Craft Centre
Namibia
Very reasonably priced woodcarvings from a sustainable source are on offer at Ncumcara Community Forestry Craft Centre, a neighbourhood craft shop. The…
Damaraland
This arts-and-crafts outlet has some really good crafts, including some from local artists, alongside imported antiques from both Angola and the DRC. It’s…
Cape Town
Swedish immigrant Alexandra Höjer has her workshop here, fronted by a boutique that stocks her chic men's and women's fashions in tailored linen, denim,…
Casablanca
Shopping isn't a highlight of Casablanca, but those wanting to snaffle a few souvenirs should head to the attractive but touristy souq in the streets east…
Cape Town
Having started out at the Neighbourgoods Market (and still selling there on Saturdays), the makers of this locally tailored brand of denim jeans and…
Cape Town
Imiso, meaning tomorrow in Xhosa, is an upmarket brand of ceramic art developed by award-winning ceramicist Andile Dyalvane and three partners. His work…
