Final answer:
The Kingdom of Mali controlled the trade of gold and salt, with these commodities significantly contributing to its wealth and influence in trade networks that connected West Africa to Europe and the Middle East.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kingdom of Mali was the first empire to control the trade of gold and salt. These two commodities were paramount, though other items such as ivory, copper, and slaves were also traded.
Trade centers like Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné were instrumental in this trade, primarily conducted with the help of the Berbers. Salt, critical for food preservation, was mined at sites like Taghaza in the Sahara, while the mysterious guild known as the Wangarans traded in gold, procuring it from regions such as present-day Ghana.
Mali's rulers, such as Sundiata Keita, benefited greatly from taxes imposed on the lucrative trade, bolstering the empire's wealth and power. This network of trade connected West Africa to the Mediterranean world, Europe, and beyond, with gold and salt often reaching the Middle East and Europe, where they were in high demand.