It is massively patronized by merchants in the ECOWAS sub-region including Accra, Abidjan, Douala, Niamey, Cotonou, and elsewhere on the continent such as Cameron, to mention a few.

It is not very clear when Onitsha main market started but the economic activities therein dates back to around the sixteen century (1506).

However, as people settled in Onitsha and the population grew, it became a daily market with trade by barter and cowries as a medium of exchange.

The coming of the Portuguese made the market grow as they brought their beautiful clothing, guns, gunpowder and other valuables in exchange for palm produce, slaves, whom they took to their industries and farms in Europe and South America.

[5] However, the Governor of Anambra State, Governor Willie Obiano has directed through his Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Wealth Creation, Chief Uchenna Okafor, to interact with the market leaders to start opening their businesses on Monday but fear of molestation by thugs would not allow them comply.