Routledge - Indigenous Trade and Markets in West Africa

Explore the economic history of West Africa through this scholarly collection. Originally published in 1971, this volume features essays from the Tenth International African Seminar at Fourah Bay College. The text examines how internal economic and political conditions, alongside external relations, shaped the growth of trade and markets in the region. The content tracks development from the period of the slave trade through the 20th century, focusing on the rise of production for overseas markets and the expansion of urban centers. Readers will find detailed discussions on local and regional trade patterns from the nineteenth century onwards. Written in both English and French, with summaries provided in both languages, this book serves as a significant resource for those studying African economic history and ethnographic studies. It offers a deep look into the shifting market dynamics that defined West African commerce across several centuries.