The+African+trading+networks+and+trans-Saharan+trade+in+gold+and+salt,+connecting+these+to+interregional+patterns+of+trade

Kingdoms of West Africa 

Trade in the Sahara

**Surplus Leads to Trade** After early farmers moved from the Sahara to more fertile lands to the south, they began to produce more food than they needed, or a surplus. They were then able to trade surplus food for goods from other villages. A trade network developed that eventually connected Africa with Asia and Europe.  Gold and salt dominated the Sahara trade. West Africans traded for an equally important product, which was salt. Much of the trade exchanged gold for salt, each a valuable product or commodity. Gold was common in West Africa, while salt was plentiful in the Sahara. However, people needed salt to stay healthy and preserve food. In fact, traders might exchange one pound of salt for one pound of gold. As farming and trade grew, cities developed on the northern edges of the savanna. Strong monarchs arose, gained control of the most profitable routes, and built strong kingdoms.
 * Trading Gold for Salt**