ABSTRACT
The precolonial long-distance economy of West Africa was largely defined by two major networks: the transatlantic slave trade, which is examined in the succeeding chapter, and the so-called legitimate commerce with Europe. There is a sequence by which the West's contact with West Africa (and the rest of Africa) can be linked to the economic activities-cum-relationship from that period till the era of colonialism. Contact was first established with West Africa in the fifteenth century on the coast, while in search of gold in the African continent or on stopovers en route to Asia in search of spices, and trading posts were established on the coast. This chapter focuses on the “legitimate” commerce and other economic practices in West Africa, especially during the nineteenth century until the advent of colonialism, and the significant part it played in ushering in colonialism. It also aims to show that the West African economy was not always about the activities of the Europeans, even in the era of transatlantic trade.
