There were many factors that helped the trade system to flourish in West Africa. Like, The Timbuktu trading network that connected West Africa to the ports of North Africa that allowed easy access to Europe and Asia.
West Africa had a long coastline which connected it to many different lands and also had direct access to Saharan trade routes. Due to this a sophisticated and powerful society flourished in West Africa. Moreover the leaders there grew wealthy by taxing the goods that passed through their routes. With this wealth, they were able to open new trade routes and finance larger armies.
