Maradi

Maradi is the third biggest city in the country of Niger. Maradi is the administrative center of the Maradi region. Previously, Maradi used to be a very famous merchant city on the route at the northern regions of Kano in Nigeria. This is also one of the reasons that the West African CFA franc, that is, Nigeria's official currency and the Nigerian naira, both can be used in Maradi.

Originally, Maradi in Niger was constructed on a lush flood plain. Later due to the frequency of the floods in the region, it was moved up over a plateau on the flood plain during the reign of the French colonial administrators in the year 1946.

The Hausa, Tuaregs and the Fulani are the predominant ethnic groups of the Maradi at Niger. Also the groups of Yoruba and Ibo from Nigeria are working mostly as the skilled traders in small scale shops. The city of Maradi in Niger is renowned for its groundnut farming business.

Maradi of Niger was a part of Katsina, a Hausa state. However in the 19th century it encountered its independence. The major tourist attractions at Maradi include Dan Kasswa Mosque, the Katsinawa Provincial Chief's Palace and the Center Artisanal handicrafts.