Mali Empire Trade Network

Timeline

1. c. 1235–1280Niani · MaliAfter Sundiata unified the Manden kingdoms, the empire brought dispersed Sahel–Sahara trade routes into a unified administrative framework by controlling access to gold-producing areas and levying transit duties, forming a trade-control system centered on Niani.
2. c. 1301–1310Niger Bend trade corridor · SahelBetween 1301 and 1310 CE the Mali Empire's trade network already covered multiple routes from southern gold mines via Gao and Timbuktu to the Taghaza salt mines of North Africa; Wangara merchants and Arab–Berber middlemen were active under imperial tariff protection, and gold flowed in large quantities into the Mediterranean monetary system through this network.
3. c. 1312–1337Timbuktu–Cairo trade axis · North AfricaDuring Mansa Musa's 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca he distributed vast quantities of gold in Egypt and elsewhere, bringing West African gold supply into public awareness in the Mediterranean world; the international prestige of the empire's trade network reached its peak, attracting more North African merchants and scholars into imperial markets.
4. c. 1450–1600Gao · MaliAfter the 15th century imperial central authority weakened, eastern cities such as Gao broke free of control, and the Songhai Empire gradually took over the main trade routes; Mali's trade network shrank, though some southern routes continued under local powers.