Breaking down business barriers
‘Black-Owned-Business Market’ project platforms a diverse array of pop-up stalls
Friday, 12th June — By Finn Logue
A Go Africa pop-up stall at Chapel Market
BREAKING down barriers to enterprise for ethnic minorities is essential for a more equal society, a community leader has said.
The “Black-Owned-Business Market” project was founded by Anna Nije who runs “Go Africa” and platforms a diverse array of pop-up stalls from the African and Caribbean diaspora in partnership with the Town Hall.
They have recently completed their 2026 spring residency at Chapel Market, hosting pop-ups between March and June, rotating the theme each time, from Ghanaian Independence to International Women’s Day.
Ms Nije said there is always a local, Islington presence among the traders at the market – at their most recent takeover, Islington food traders Jussjerk and Reggae Flames sold Caribbean food and sauces.
Junior Bogle, JB Natural & Organic vendor, on Ghana Independence-themed day
Ms Nije said: “After years of pushing for a black-owned business market I was commissioned by the council to begin the project in 2024, and got around 25-30 traders in the first month.
“This project is all about joy, visibility and economic empowerment. There are bold colours, big energy and a deep cultural connection to Islington – creating space for our communities to thrive, trade and be celebrated. Go Africa started as an arts project but has evolved to become something so much more. We are all about enterprise, creativity and campaigning for people to have a voice in the community.
“Unfortunately there are too many barriers to communal spaces for members of the black community, and our work is all about breaking down those barriers and trying to make these spaces more accessible for everyone. We’ve become a platform for anyone from any race to understand their cultural roots.”
Ms Nije has since been made a “Community Champion” for Go Africa’s work in the borough.
Go Africa recently ended a residency at the Islington Black Cultural Centre and has received long-standing support from councillors Jason Jackson and Sheila Chapman.
The market will return for its biggest iteration later this year, and Ms Nije said she is hoping that in the near future, it can become a permanent fixture.
