Final answer:
The chief trading partners of West Africa before the fifth century C.E. were primarily the Arab merchants and societies from North Africa, facilitated by the trans-Saharan trade route.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chief trading partners of West Africa before the fifth century C.E. were primarily the Arab merchants and societies from North Africa. These Arab merchants, facilitated by the introduction of the Arabian camel, established regular trade connections between Morocco and the Niger River in West Africa. The trade mainly involved commodities like salt, gold, ivory, copper, and slaves, with salt being highly valued for its use in food preservation. The trans-Saharan trade route played a crucial role in connecting West Africa to the Mediterranean world, Europe, and the Near East.