Final answer:
Arab merchants were primarily the ones traveling to East Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
Merchants in northern Africa were predominantly of Mediterranean origin, engaging in trade and cultural exchange across the region. Conversely, Arab merchants venturing to East Africa were mainly of Arab descent, contributing to the Arabization of coastal communities. This distinction reflects historical trade routes and cultural interactions. In northern Africa, the Mediterranean connection facilitated commerce with Europe, while in East Africa, Arab merchants played a central role in maritime trade, introducing Islamic influences to the Swahili Coast. These diverse merchant networks not only shaped economic landscapes but also left lasting impacts on the cultural, linguistic, and religious fabric of the respective regions.1