Mali Empire's Global Connections: Trade and Diplomacy

Trade

Mali was a major hub on the Trans-Saharan route, exchanging gold, salt, slaves, ivory, spices with North Africa, Middle East, and Europe.

Diplomacy

Relations with Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Songhai. Mansa Musa's 1324 Cairo embassy (1,000+ people) famously distributed so much gold it depressed Egyptian gold prices.

Consequences

• Spread of Islam across West Africa
• Introduction of firearms (from Europeans) and new agricultural techniques
• Alliances and resource access fueling imperial power

External contacts were pivotal to Mali's prosperity and influence.