What event lead to the decline of the trans Saharan trade?

The decline of the trans-Saharan trade was significantly influenced by the European colonization of North Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which disrupted traditional trade routes and systems. Additionally, the development of maritime trade routes, particularly after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, offered faster and more efficient means of transportation for goods between Europe and Africa. The rise of modern transportation methods, such as railways and automobiles, further diminished the reliance on caravan trade across the Sahara. Together, these factors contributed to the gradual decline of this historic trade network.