How did the west African empires grow wealthy and powerful?

Answer 1

People built their cities near the trade routes to have an easier trading system. It prevented people from walking very far to get to the trade route.

Answer 2

I can tell you one of the factors, and that is trade. The trans-Saharan trade greatly influenced the growth of early west African cities. The early Islamic Empire would trade over the Sahara with these African cities, and they would benefit from the Islamic technology, whereas the Islamic Empire received gold, salt, etc.

Answer 3

their location on major trade routes allowed them to prosper economically.

Answer 4

their location on major trade routes allowed them to prosper economically.

their location on major trade routes aloowed them to prosper economically. and they rock

Answer 5

They became wealthy from gold and salt in their area, and became powerful by controlling trade in west Africa and such.