How did Africans and Arabs interact?

Africans and Arabs have interacted for centuries through trade, cultural exchange, and migration, particularly along the East African coast and the Sahara Desert. The Arab expansion from the 7th century onwards facilitated the spread of Islam across Africa, leading to the establishment of trade networks and the blending of cultures. This interaction also resulted in the emergence of Swahili culture, a fusion of African and Arab influences in language, architecture, and social practices. Additionally, the trans-Saharan trade routes fostered economic exchanges that shaped the societies on both sides of the desert.