Shopping in Sudan

Sudan has no single national retail system. Shopping combines local production, imports and cross-border trade through neighbourhood shops, wholesale and retail businesses, street markets, weekly markets and larger market centres. A سوق is a market, a بقالة is a grocery shop and a دكان is a small general shop. Market access and product availability depend strongly on the region. A market survey covering 18 states and 36 markets is conducted every two weeks and aggregated monthly, so its prices describe particular places and dates rather than a fixed national price level. Conflict and damaged infrastructure continue to affect transport, fuel, exchange rates, security and restocking. In July 2026, prices generally increased for cereals, pulses, vegetables, meat, sugar, cooking oil and fuel, while availability declined in many markets. Darfur and Kordofan often recorded the highest prices and lowest availability, especially in conflict-affected or remote areas. Khartoum and North Darfur also faced serious logistics and security problems. Many markets remained active, and a 2026 assessment found that many traders intended to continue or expand their activities over the following one to three months, but this did not guarantee stable supply. Common grocery purchases include sorghum, millet, wheat and wheat flour, rice, lentils, fava beans, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, cooking oil and sugar. Compare price, freshness, quality and local availability at the time of purchase. For packaged or personal-care products, check the label, manufacturer, origin, sealed packaging and expiry date. Soap, detergents, hygiene products and cosmetics may be affected by regional shortages or uncertain quality. Clothing and shoes may be locally made or imported; inspect the material, stitching, size, care information and fit. A return may depend on the seller's practice and the receipt. Technology purchases include mobile phones, ICT and audio-visual accessories, household appliances, refrigerators, washing machines and charging or energy equipment. Check the serial number, originality, operation, receipt, warranty terms, repair address and availability of replacement parts. Electricity and network reliability differ by region, so a device's practical usefulness may depend on local power and connectivity. The Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) sets or applies standards involving products such as textiles, children's clothing, shoes, electrical equipment, packaging, soap, hair dyes and UV filters, and it carries out metrology, import and export controls, shop inspections and label checks. Cash remains central to shopping. The Central Bank of Sudan lists mobile-payment services including MoMo, SudanPay, Cashi, Bravo, Zikher, SAH, Bede and Nil Pay. These services can support deposits and withdrawals, domestic transfers, electronic collection, service payments and electronic-money accounts. Identity checks may apply, and network access can determine whether a transaction succeeds. Check the displayed fee list and keep an electronic receipt showing the sender, recipient, amount, date and reference. The applicable payment rules provide for advance notice of at least 10 days for account or price changes, a reason for blocking or closing an account within 24 hours and repayment of remaining funds according to the rules within 10 days. Complaints should be accepted within 24 hours and decided within a maximum of 10 days. A transaction should not be attempted when the network is unavailable. Online shopping is formally recognized but remains small and fragmented in practice. Internet connections can be slow or unstable, and no reliably evidenced national standard covers marketplaces, delivery, returns or buyer protection. The Electronic Transactions Act recognizes contracts and records made through electronic messages, digital signatures and electronic cards. Before paying an online seller, verify the seller's identity, total price including delivery, current availability, receipt and return conditions. Social-commerce sellers may provide another option, but their national scale is not reliably quantified. Never share a payment PIN, one-time password or account password. The National Consumer Protection Law 2019 recognizes rights to safety, accurate product and price information, choice, a receipt and complaints. Implementation remains fragmented across local and regional settings. A comprehensive independent consumer authority and broader digital and sustainability arrangements were still incomplete in the 2023 UNESCWA assessment, while the National Consumer Protection Bureau was seeking to complete its structures in 2026. Keep receipts, product information, warranty terms and seller messages. SSMO handles standards, measurements, import and export control, labels and shop inspections, and consumer complaints can be directed to 5960. The CBOS Banks' Customers Protection Section handles complaints about banks and financial service providers but does not replace a court. Telecom or postal complaints concern access or delivery services and do not create a separate nationwide shopping-rights system. Shopping generally has no formal eligibility requirement. Practical access depends on income and liquidity, the distance to a market, personal security, road and transport conditions, cash or network access and local market openings. Rural households, internally displaced people and households in insecure areas can face stronger barriers. Costs change with fuel, exchange rates, transport, security or checkpoint expenses, regional supply and the liquidity of individual traders. Formal standards exist for environmental labels, biodegradable plastics, electronic waste and waste from vegetable and meat markets, but nationwide labelling, recycling, repair and environmentally focused retail services are not reliably established. Durable, repairable goods, reusable options and correct disposal are practical priorities when they remain available without compromising safety or access.