Kano still trades like the caravan city it has always been: thousands of textile stalls at Kwari, blacksmiths hammering cooking pots at Kofar Ruwa, tailors who finish a kaftan overnight. Three days of markets, malls and craft shops, priced in naira.
West Africa's largest textile wholesale market, roughly 5,000 lock-up stalls stacked with Dutch wax, atampa, shadda brocade and Swiss lace. Traders open about 08:00 and shut by 18:00; Friday pauses for midday prayers.
The blacksmiths' and metalworkers' market outside the old city's water gate, where aluminium cooking pots, brass trays and hand-beaten spoons are made on the spot. Workshops run roughly 08:00-17:30 six days a week.
A covered leather and calabash market where Hausa craftsmen cut goatskin bags, sandals and camel-hide poufs by hand. Painted gourds and undecorated calabash bowls fill the northern aisle. Open around 08:00-18:00.
A dense quarter of treadle-machine tailors sewing kaftans and babban riga to measure, often turned around in 24-48 hours. Bring fabric bought earlier at Kwari; neckline embroidery is quoted separately.
Kano's contemporary fashion corridor, lined with ready-to-wear boutiques, abaya and hijab houses and designer tailoring studios serving the city's young professionals. Most open 09:00-20:00, closing Friday afternoon.
Northern Nigeria's largest shopping mall, opened in 2016 on Zoo Road with a Shoprite anchor, cinema, cosmetics and phone chains and a food court. Air-conditioned and trading 09:00-21:00 daily, cards accepted throughout.
Kano's electronics bazaar at Kofar Nassarawa: hundreds of lock-ups selling phones, laptops, accessories and same-day repairs, plus imported watches. Trading roughly 08:30-18:00, closed Sunday.
The commercial spine of Sabon Gari, where evening trade brings out attar and perfume sellers, jewellery kiosks, shoe shops and stationers. Lit and busy until about 21:00, with Hausa, Igbo and Lebanese-run stores side by side.
Craft stalls ringing the mud-built 15th-century museum sell tooled leather, indigo cloth, brass and carved calabash, curated for quality over volume. Grounds open 09:00-17:00, Tuesday to Sunday.
West Africa's largest grain and spice market, about 12km northwest of the centre, trading hibiscus, sesame, tiger nuts, ginger and dried chillies by the tonne — with small retail packs sold near the front gate. Busiest 07:00-13:00.
The trading heart of Kano's southern-migrant quarter, with beadwork, coral strands, imported textiles and cosmetics packed along France Road. Open about 08:00-18:00, quiet on Sunday mornings.
A quiet cluster of craft shops on Bompai Road selling Hausa leatherwork, silver Tuareg jewellery, hand-woven aso-oke strips and camel-bone boxes. Traders stay open to about 19:00 and ship internationally.