Question

What impact does Trans-Saharan trade have on the formation of societies, birth of towns, and creation of Empires in West Africa?

Answer 1

Trans-Sahara trade is one of the oldest trading networks in Africa.

Step-by-step explanation:

The trading network requires to travel across the Sahara between sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. Existing since prehistoric times, it reached its peak in the 8th century. In West Africa, the changes came in Ghana when the Almoravids sacked the city and the Ghāna Empire decline.

Mali rise in the 13th century as gold became the core of the trans-Saharan trade. The Trans-Sahara trade saw the rise of empires like Mali, Songhay, and Bono-Mansu. Expansion of urban centres and towns happened as Kano became one of the urban centres in West Africa. Trade also saw the rise of trading classes call the Wangara.