WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Gold, sought from the western and central Sudan, was the main commodity of the trans-Saharan trade. The traffic in gold was spurred by the demand for and supply of coinage.

Detailed explanation-2: -Over time, the slave trade became even more important to the West African economy. Kings traded slaves for valuable good, such as horses from the Middle East and textiles and weapons from Europe. The transSaharan slave trade contributed to the power of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ghana’s rulers gained incredible wealth from trade, taxes on traders and on the people of Ghana, and their own personal stores of gold. They used their wealth to build an army and an empire. Extensive trade routes brought the people of Ghana into contact with people of many different cultures and beliefs.

Detailed explanation-4: -The main economic activity in the region is subsistence agriculture. Minerals, diamonds, or oil are also extracted in varying amounts in West Africa. West Africa has a large number of independent states that share similar economic qualities of poverty with rapidly expanding populations.

Detailed explanation-5: -WEST AFRICA TRADE and INVESTMENT HUB Agriculture is the main economic driver and the region has one of the fastest growing uses of mobile phones and digital technology.

Detailed explanation-6: -Ghana grew wealthy from trade through taxation. Along with gold and salt traders carried copper, silver, cloth and spices. As Ghana was in a prime location in between salt and gold mines, rulers taxed traders passing through Ghana. Traders had to pay taxes on the goods they carried to Ghana and took away with them.