No one really controlled the Saharan Trade route, however there were influential groups. The Bantus are an example. They were a nomadic tribe that traveled across the Sahara in caravans. Merchants would pay these nomads to travel across the desert to drop off goods and bring the money back to them in exchange for money or a different good.
Islam
The first permanent trade route was created in 1482
cross bow and compass
The Saharan trade extended from the Saharan West African kingdoms across the Sahara desert to Europe. The Saharan Trade linked such African empires as Ghana, Mali, and Songhay to the European world.
The Darb el-Arbain trade route is one (there are more).
Timbuktu was a central point in the trans-Saharan trade route system. Located in present-day Mali, it served as a major hub for the exchange of goods, such as gold, salt, and ivory, as well as a center for the spread of knowledge and culture. Its strategic position facilitated trade between North Africa and sub-Saharan regions, contributing to its wealth and prominence during the medieval period.
The Russian trade route ran from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.
The main commodity of the trans-Saharan trade route was gold, which was highly sought after in North Africa and beyond. However, salt was also a crucial trade item, as it was essential for food preservation and human health. Other goods included ivory, textiles, and slaves, but gold and salt were the primary drivers of the trade's economic significance. This trade route facilitated cultural exchanges and contributed to the rise of powerful empires in West Africa, such as the Mali Empire.
Trans-Saharan trade began around the 8th century CE, primarily as a means of exchanging goods like gold, salt, and slaves between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. This trade route flourished over the centuries, especially with the rise of powerful empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, which facilitated and controlled trade across the Sahara.
Magna Græcia
which counties were involved in the trans-Saharan slave trade
The four main historical trade routes are the Silk Road, which connected East Asia to the Mediterranean; the Spice Route, linking Southeast Asia to Europe; the Trans-Saharan trade routes, facilitating trade across North Africa; and the Incense Route, connecting Arabia to the Mediterranean for the trade of incense and spices. Each route played a crucial role in cultural exchange, the spread of goods, and the development of civilizations.