AfricaNigerMaradi Region
Tessaoua
Maradi Region, Niger · Africa
About Tessaoua
Tessaoua sits on the route: 30 minutes from Gazaoua.
Tessaoua is in Maradi Region, Niger, with about 59,000 people. The nearest town is Gazaoua, about 27 km away.
Tessaoua, formerly known as Tessawa, is a city located in the Maradi Region of Niger. It has a population of 43,409 (2012 census). Tessaoua is historically an important city in its region. It is situated in a central geographical location. Tessaoua is a midpoint on a historical trade route between Agadez, Niger, inRead more
the north and Kano, Nigeria, in the south. During the collapse of the sultanates of Bornu and Sokoto during the late 19th century, the local ruler declared his territory the sultanate of Tessaoua; he signed a treaty of protection with the French captain Cazemajou in 1897, prior to the explorer's murder in nearby Zinder.
More important to modern Niger, Tessaoua is nearly halfway between the regional capitals of Maradi and Zinder on the one main east-west road in Niger. Zinder used to be the capital of Niger until the French colonialists moved the capital west to Niamey, where it was closer to others of the French West African holdings and thus easier to manage. Tessaoua used to be a regional capital, until political power was shifted to Maradi. Maradi is still the regional capital today.
Tessaoua has one high school (lycée) and several primary schools—some of which instruct in French and others which instruct primarily in the national language, Hausa, or also in Arabic in the Franco-Arabe, or Koranic schools. It does not have a university. There are two hospitals in Tessaoua. Many non-governmental organisation (NGOs) also have regional headquarters in Tessaoua, which allows them access to surrounding rural villages. There is also a football club in the town, Tessaoua FC. They competed in the 1975 Niger Cup final but lost to Olympic FC, 2–1. The club has since never appeared in another final.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tessaoua?
Tessaoua is in Maradi Region, Niger, about 27 km from Gazaoua.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 58,750
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- Niger
- Region
- Maradi Region
- Timezone
- Africa/Niamey
- Coordinates
- 13.7574, 7.9874
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When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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