in 3-5 sentneces explain how trade affects the rise of empires in west africa

Answer 1

Trade played a crucial role in the rise of empires in West Africa. The trans-Saharan trade routes allowed for the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different regions. This trade network helped to create wealthy and powerful empires, such as the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires, as it enabled the accumulation of wealth, control over resources, and the establishment of political and economic dominance. The empires flourished due to their ability to control and tax the trade routes, which further enhanced their economic and political power in the region.