Kano has long been the economic centre of northern Nigeria, and a centre for the production and export of peanuts. Kano houses the Bayero University and a railway station with trains to Lagos routed through Kaduna, while Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lies nearby. Because Kano is north of the rail junction at Kaduna, it has equal access to the seaports at Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Formerly walled, most of the gates to the Old City survive. The Old City houses the vast Kurmi Market, known for its crafts, while old dye pits – still in use – lie nearby. Also in the Old City are the Emir's Palace, the Great Mosque, and the Gidan Makama Mosque. Kano has six districts. They are the Old City, Bompai, Fagge, Sabon Gari, Syrian Quarter, and Nassarawa. The city also contains the Gidan Makama Museum Kano, housed in a 15th century building that is a National Monument.
As of November 2007, there are plans to establish an information technology park in the city.
The city is supplied with water by the nearby Challawa Gorge Dam, which is also being considered as a source of hydro power.
The airline Kabo Air has its head office in the city
