10. The African Sahelian Slave Networks
Long before European colonization, powerful kingdoms in the African Sahel—such as Mali and Songhai—built wealth on the backs of enslaved war captives. These internal slave trades moved people across the Sahel and into North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Enslaved individuals worked in agriculture, armies, and royal courts, helping shape the region’s economic and cultural landscapes. The legacy of these Sahelian networks continues to influence West African societies today. Learn about slavery in Africa
