Hausa people were mainly farmers, traders and craftsmen. They produced such crops as millet, beans, corns, grains and other legumes. They equally engaged in livestock rearing – cows, sheep, goats, etc.
Moreover, they had commercial cities like Kano and Kastina where a lot of trading activities were carried out.
Thus, their articles of trade included – kolanut, hides and skins, craft and leather materials. There were also metal industries as a result of the iron ore in Kano. They were equally skilled craftsmen who worked on wood, metal day leather and cloth.
However, their revenue depended on the taxes imposed on the subjects, foreign traders and tribute-paying states.