What was the most important item of trade between Africa and Europe in the 1500s?

In the 1500s, the most important item of trade between Africa and Europe was likely gold, particularly from West African kingdoms like Mali and Songhai. Gold was highly sought after in Europe for its value and use in coinage, jewelry, and art. Alongside gold, other significant items included ivory and enslaved people, which were part of the broader transatlantic trade networks that began to develop during this period.