Trade was always monopolized by the
king, and he appointed specific merchants to deal with foreign
businessmen. As previously noted, it was by the control and
taxation of commerce That the king financed his government and
maintained his power.
The strength and weaknesses of the West African economy can be
seen by a cursory glance at a list of its main exports and imports.
West African exports included gold, ivory, hides, leather goods,
cotton, peppercorn, olive oil, and cola. While some of these items
were only exported for short distances, others found their way over
long distances. West African gold, for example, was exported as far
away as Asia and Northern Europe. Some English coins of the
period were minted with West African gold. West African imports
included silks from Asia, swords, knives, kitchen-ware, and trinkets
from the primitive industrial factories of Europe as well as horses
and other items from Arabia. Two other items of trade became all
important for the future--the exportation of slaves and the
importation of guns and gunpowder.
West African manufacturing demonstrated a considerable amount of
skill in a wide variety of crafts.
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