Why did the Dutch begin to sell firearms to West Africa?

Answer 1

The Dutch began to sell firearms to West Africa in order to establish trade relationships and gain access to valuable resources such as gold, ivory, and slaves. Additionally, the Dutch believed that selling firearms to local African rulers would help them secure a strategic advantage in the competition for control over trade routes and territories in the region. This practice also helped the Dutch to weaken and eventually dominate rival European powers in the region.