Why did it take so long to abolish the slave trade in west Africa?

The abolition of the slave trade in West Africa took a long time due to a combination of economic interests, political complexities, and social structures. European powers were heavily invested in the profits generated from the transatlantic slave trade, which created resistance to its abolition. Additionally, local chiefs and traders in West Africa benefited from the trade, complicating efforts for reform. Efforts for abolition faced significant opposition, and it wasn't until moral, humanitarian, and political pressures converged that meaningful change occurred.