Glossary · Term

Trans-Saharan trade

Also known as trans-Saharan

The trans-Saharan trade was the network of caravan routes across the Sahara Desert linking North Africa and the Mediterranean with West and Central Africa. Gold, slaves, ivory and other goods moved north, while salt, horses, textiles and manufactured goods moved south, along with Islam and literacy. It underpinned the wealth of the Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Kanem-Bornu empires, and earlier the Garamantian Empire, as well as the Almoravid and Almohad states to the north.

Mentioned in 12 profiles

Almohad CaliphateSocioeconomy Almoravid EmpireFoundation, Socioeconomy, Impact Garamantian EmpireSocioeconomy, Impact Ghana EmpireMilitary, Impact Jolof EmpireSocioeconomy, Military, Impact Kaabu EmpireImpact Kanem-Bornu EmpireFoundation, Socioeconomy, Impact, Decline, Summary Mali EmpireSocioeconomy, Impact Oyo EmpireSocioeconomy Sokoto CaliphateSocioeconomy Songhai EmpireFoundation, Socioeconomy, Impact, Decline Wadai EmpireFoundation, Socioeconomy, Impact, Summary

See also

Cite this entry

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Trans-Saharan trade. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/trans-saharan-trade
MLA: “Trans-Saharan trade.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/trans-saharan-trade. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Trans-Saharan trade.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/trans-saharan-trade.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Trans-Saharan trade’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/trans-saharan-trade (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻