African trade

We learn how the trading of goods was established across oceans and continents

THE ability to trade quickly and reliably across great distances has changed the way we live. People in the remotest areas can buy almost anything online and have it delivered to their doorstep faster than ever before. In a way, this has brought convenience and the potential to earn a living to many parts of the world.

However, it hasn’t always been this way. Centuries ago, independent and powerful city states emerged in parts of the world that had access to trading ports or were built on overland trading routes. Traders would travel from afar to trade items that they had in abundance, and which were unique to their lands and people.

By doing so, economies would thrive and cultures would be brought into contact with one another through trade. This concept of global connection between faraway lands is an early form of globalisation and there were significant areas in Africa which were important parts of this global trade. While famous explorers like Marco Polo were travelling the Silk Road trade routes across Europe and Asia, Africa was bustling with trade as well. One example is the lucrative trade in gold and salt brought by caravans of camels across the Sahara to North African ports.

Long-distance trading looked very different back then. So let’s look back at how trade was established in Africa

INDIAN OCEAN TRADING SYSTEM