Le Premier is a shopping mall in Gombe, Kinshasa on Avenue de la Justice.[1] Opened on 19 July 2016, it became Kinshasa's first shopping mall.[1][2] It spans over 10,000 square meters,[3] featuring a supermarket, numerous clothing boutiques, a food court, a bowling alley, banking services, a cinema, and leisure areas such as relaxation zones, care centers, and an international hotel school.[2][4][1]
 Cameroon coffee served to everyone at Le Premier Mall | |
| Location | Avenue de la Justice, Gombe, Kinshasa |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 19 July 2016 |
| Owner | Hassan Yahfoufi |
| Architect | AMT Congo Sarl |
| Total retail floor area | 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) |
The mall was developed under the initiative of Hassan Yahfoufi, an American businessman residing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).[1][5] Its opening was celebrated as a milestone in Kinshasa's urban development, offering modern retail amenities and employment opportunities for local residents.[5]
History
editThe concept for Le Premier was launched as a private initiative to create an all-inclusive retail and entertainment center in Kinshasa.[5] This vision was realized through a public-private collaboration spearheaded by AMT Congo Sarl, under the leadership of its president, Hassan Yahfoufi, an American entrepreneur based in DRC.[2] Hassan Yahfoufi's family, who has lived in the DRC for over 40 years, spearheaded the venture to reduce the need for Congolese consumers to travel abroad for shopping.[5] Initially slated for completion in early 2015, the mall officially opened on 19 July 2016.[1][2]
Inauguration
editThe mall's opening ceremony was a significant event that drew many notable personalities, including David Brown, the chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy, and Kinshasa Governor André Kimbuta.[5] Governor Kimbuta praised the mall as a valuable asset for the city and renamed TSF Street, where the mall is situated, "Mall Street".[5] As part of the proceedings, Yahfoufi was awarded the title of honorary citizen by the governor as recognition of his role in the city's growth.[5] On its first day, Le Premier generated over 400 direct and indirect employment opportunities.[5][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Un shopping mall ouvert à Kinshasa" [A shopping mall opened in Kinshasa]. Radio Okapi (in French). 20 July 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Muamba, Clement (30 July 2021). "Kinshasa: le Premier Shopping Mall célèbre ses 5 ans d'existence au service des Congolais comme valeur ajoutée à l'économie du pays" [Kinshasa: Premier Shopping Mall celebrates its 5 years of existence serving the Congolese as an added value to the country's economy]. Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Le Premier Shopping Mall opens in Kinshasa" [Le Premier Shopping Mall opens in Kinshasa]. Trendtype. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Life, Kinshasa (3 October 2024). "Le Premier Shopping Mall Kinshasa" [The First Shopping Mall Kinshasa]. Visit Kinshasa (in French). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Buema, Barick (20 July 2016). "Le shopping mall "Le Premier" inauguré!" [The "Le Premier" shopping mall inaugurated!]. AfricaNews RDC (in French). Retrieved 25 November 2024.