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Ghana Empire Trade (1010s)

Type Event Region West Africa Time 1011–1020

In the early 11th century, the Ghana Empire (Wagadu) in West Africa sustained prosperity through the trans-Saharan gold-salt trade network, controlli…

Timeline

  1. 1011–1020Ghana Empire core territory · SahelThe empire's rulers monopolized or taxed southern goldfield output, collected customs duties at capital markets and border checkpoints, and resold gold to North African Muslim merchants, generating stable trade revenue.
  2. 1011–1020Trans-Saharan trade routes · SahelCamel caravan routes connected North African relay stations such as Walata and Sijilmasa with the Ghana hinterland; salt, cloth, and horses moved south while gold, ivory, and slaves moved north, with Muslim merchants enjoying relatively autonomous trading conditions within the empire.

Sources