Final answer:
Sunni Ali significantly expanded trade in the Songhai Empire by conquering key trade centers such as Timbuktu and Djenné and securing control over vital trade routes. Despite resistance and criticism, his efforts laid the foundation for the empire's wealth, which was further enhanced by his successor Askia the Great, who implemented regulatory trade measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expansion of Trade in the Songhai Empire under Sunni Ali
Sunni Ali played a crucial role in expanding the trade within the Songhai Empire. After capturing Gao and becoming the first king of Songhai, Sunni Ali embarked on a campaign of conquest, which included the annexation of key trade centers like Timbuktu and Djenné. His conquests served to secure the important trade routes which were essential for trading salt, gold, and cloth, thereby enhancing the wealth and size of the empire. Furthermore, the annexation of the trading center Djenné, which finally surrendered in 1473 after a seven-month siege, was particularly significant as it was a longstanding exchange point for caravans and was strategically located.
Despite his conflicts with Muslim neighbors and criticism from Muslim historians, Sunni Ali's military campaigns ensured the control over critical trade routes and urban areas, positioning the Songhai Empire as a dominant trading force and enabling it to gain unprecedented wealth.
Following Sunni Ali, his successor, Askia the Great, continued to expand the empire's trade by conquering more territories and regulating the trans-Saharan trade with policies like introducing standardized weights and measures and employing trade inspectors.