Songhai Empire Dominates West African Trade

1465

Under Sunni Ali's relentless military campaigns, the Songhai state now controlled both Timbuktu and Djenne, the twin commercial and intellectual anchors of trans-Saharan and inland Niger commerce. Gold, salt, slaves, kola nuts, leather, and handwritten manuscripts moved through markets that Songhai taxed and garrisoned with professional soldiers. West Africa's largest and most powerful empire since the height of Mali was taking its definitive shape along the great river.