Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The primary driver of Ghana's imperial power (c. 300–1100 CE) was its dominance over the trans-Saharan gold trade. Located in a gold-rich region, the empire taxed and controlled the flow of gold to North African and Mediterranean markets, attracting Arab and European traders.
Ghana sat at the crossroads of major trade routes, enabling exchange of salt, ivory, and other goods, spreading its cultural influence across West Africa.
Wealth from gold financed military expansion, administration, and urban development (e.g., Koumbi Saleh).