The bedsits where treasures of west African art are traded

Nairobi's underground art market reveals a lucrative trade in West African artifacts, where dealers operate from modest rooms in the city center. Pieces sourced from Mali, Gambia, Togo, and Benin are strategically acquired at minimal costs and resold at substantial markups in international markets. This clandestine network demonstrates how cultural heritage items move through informal channels, raising questions about provenance, authenticity, and the ethical implications of the global antiquities trade.