Khartoum, Sudan — January 19, 2026 Business Steadily Returns to Downtown Khartoum Market. Activity in downtown Khartoum’s central market has been gradually resuming as the army regains control over the Sudanese capital. Following the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, the RSF have been pushed out after an army-led offensive in March 2024.
Market Vendors Face Challenges. Despite the return of relative stability, market vendors are facing increased challenges in making a living. Hashim Mohamed, a local vendor, noted that “prices are somewhat high due to the difficulty of bringing produce to the market, “attributing the issue to the hardships faced along the supply chain from farms and shops to the market.
Economic Struggles and Currency Devaluation. Khartoum’s central market is no longer at risk of mass starvation, a concern that has plagued battlefield cities and displacement camps elsewhere in the country.
However, the overall economy remains fragile.
The Sudanese pound has plummeted in value, trading at 3,500 to the US dollar in 2026, compared to 570 before the conflict. Market Recovery and Humanitarian Crisis. Adam Hammad, another market vendor, acknowledged that “the market is not what it used to be, but overall, it is better than it was when the Rapid Support Forces took control.”.
Despite these improvements, the conflict in Sudan has led to tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, triggering what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Conclusion.
As Khartoum’s market slowly recovers, the city continues to grapple with the economic and humanitarian repercussions of the ongoing conflict.
While some stability has been restored, the road to full recovery remains long and uncertain.
