What was the main trade of Western Africa?

What was the main trade of Western Africa?

What did they trade? The main items traded were gold and salt. The gold mines of West Africa provided great wealth to West African Empires such as Ghana and Mali. Other items that were commonly traded included ivory, kola nuts, cloth, slaves, metal goods, and beads.

What were the three major trading empires in West Africa?

In this collection, we examine the big three of the Ghana Empire, Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire as well as the lucrative trade connections they made with West and North Africa.

What were two valuable trades in West Africa?

The main items traded were gold and salt. The gold mines of West Africa provided great wealth to West African Empires such as Ghana and Mali. Other items that were commonly traded included ivory, kola nuts, cloth, slaves, metal goods, and beads.

How did West African kingdoms grow wealthy through trade?

In Western Africa, three kingdoms became wealthy beyond belief by controlling important stops along the trans-Saharan trade routes. The major commodities exchanged in this lucrative network were gold and salt. This is one example of the abundance of gold found in this area of Africa.

Who controlled the trade in West Africa?

Over time, Ghana took control of trade from merchants. Merchants from the north and south then met to exchange goods in Ghana. By 800 Ghana was firmly in control of West Africa’s trade routes. Nearly all trade between northern and southern Africa passed through Ghana.

What did West Africa lack?

While North Africa had abundant supplies of salt, West Africa lacked salt. Salt is vital for human survival. Merchants, moving in caravans across the desert, picked up large blocks of salt on their journey to exchange for gold.

Why trade is important to Africa?

“Trade is critically important to economic development. Liser said the United States needs to work with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa in many areas so they can take full advantage of both AGOA and worldwide trading opportunities and send exports to emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.