The unique factor that allowed both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states to rise and thrive as trade empires is their geographic locations.
Axum was strategically located near the trade routes between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, which facilitated trade with both regions. Similarly, the Swahili city-states, situated along the East African coast, had access to the Indian Ocean trade routes, allowing them to engage in commerce with traders from Arabia, Persia, India, and beyond. This advantageous positioning enabled both powers to become significant players in international trade networks.