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Within the current policy of privatising public services, changes in commercial distribution have favoured the reorganisation of the African city in spatial terms and have exacerbated existing segregations. While the authorities, in the name of the public interest, have in the past taken pains to ensure equal access to the urban economy and society, the allocation of urban markets to private companies seems to have led to the exclusion of small traders, consumers with lower resources or living in isolated areas, and “foreigners.” In a few rare cases, some new management companies have made arrangements which take into account the difficulties of the less fortunate by offering sale and rental options more suited to their resources. However, the companies in charge of the management of the markets have not necessarily adopted the objectives established by the municipal authorities which on the one hand have not sought their involvement in local policy-making processes and on the other are more preoccupied by using investment as a means for attracting votes.