Who did people trade with in medieval west Africa?

In medieval West Africa, people primarily traded with neighboring regions and distant empires through established trade routes. Key trading partners included North African merchants, who brought goods like salt and textiles, while West Africans exchanged gold, ivory, and agricultural products. Major trading cities, such as Timbuktu and Gao, served as hubs for this commerce, facilitating interactions between diverse cultures and economies. The trans-Saharan trade routes were instrumental in connecting West African kingdoms with the Mediterranean world and beyond.