Final answer:
Salt and gold were the two trade goods that helped give rise to the West African empires of Mali and Ghana.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two trade goods that helped give rise to the West African empires of Mali and Ghana were salt and gold. Salt was a valuable commodity in the region as it was used for food preservation and seasoning. Gold was abundant in the West African empires and was a key factor in their economic prosperity.
Learn more about Trade goods in West African empires