Impact of long trans Saharan trade
1. It led to the development of west African states in the western Sudanic zone. Such as Ghana, Mali and Songhai, kings in their states collected tax in form of silk, gold and weapons from traders.
2. Spread of Islam in west Africa started in the period of trans – Saharan trade. Many of the traders were Arab Muslims who apart from doing trade, propagated their faith amongst Africans and built mosques in the region.
3. Development of education institutions. Formal education was introduced in west Africa by Muslims traders from north Koranic schools, were built in Timbuktu and the first university known as university of Sankore.
4. Development of slave trade. There was some of slave trade in trans – Saharan trade. Africans were taken as slaves to northern Africa where they worked as domestic and labourers.
5. Importation of foreign goods. foreign trade items were imported in west Africa. examples of such goods weapons, camels, silk, salt and iron.
6. Growth of towns in west Africa trading areas. Djenne, Timbuktu, Walata, Gao, Koumbi Saleh and Kano are towns which rose during the trans – Saharan trade.
7. Exploitation of African resources, for example, ivory, gold, copper, ostrich feathers, slaves, to name a few, all these were taken to Middle East and Midditeranean World.
8. Intermarriage and emergence of Mulattoes, this was a result of interaction between Arabs, Berbers and the people of Western Sudan.
9. Emergence of class of rich and powerful merchants, most of these were people with political influence among them being Askia Mohammed ( Askia The Great) and Mansa Kankan Musa who is said to be the richest person in human history.
