How did European explorers get slaves from west Africa?

European explorers and traders obtained slaves from West Africa primarily through a system of trade that involved local African leaders and middlemen. They established coastal trading posts and negotiated agreements, often exchanging goods like textiles, firearms, and alcohol for enslaved individuals. In some cases, they also engaged in raids or warfare to capture slaves directly. This trade was a crucial part of the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas.