Its capital may have been established as early as the 9th century CE, though it was not designated as such until the reign of Kossoi, and it was occupied for a time before being freed by Sulaiman-Mar. This empire's first great ruler expanded it by defeating the Dogon and Fulani, as well as expelling the Tuareg and capturing the key trading center of Jenne. It met its end nearly a century and a half later under the rule of Issihak II, when Judar Pasha led Moroccan forces to victory at the Battle of Tondibi. It had reached its greatest height under Askia Muhammad, who usurped the throne shortly after Sonni Ali's death. 
Its capital may have been established as early as the 9th century CE, though it was not designated as such until the reign of Kossoi, and it was occupied for a time before being freed by Sulaiman-Mar. This empire's first great ruler expanded it by defeating the Dogon and Fulani, as well as expelling the Tuareg and capturing the key trading center of Jenne. It met its end nearly a century and a half later under the rule of Issihak II, when Judar Pasha led Moroccan forces to victory at the Battle of Tondibi. It had reached its greatest height under Askia Muhammad, who usurped the throne shortly after Sonni Ali's death. FTP name this west African empire with capital at Gao that flourished in the late 15th and 16th centuries after the decline of the Mali empire.
Its capital may have been established as early as the 9th century CE, though it was not designated as such until the reign of Kossoi, and it was occupied for a time before being freed by Sulaiman-Mar.
Songhai Empire [or Songhay]