How many Africans were sold into slavery in Africa?

Estimates suggest that between 10 to 12 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands and sold into slavery during the transatlantic slave trade, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries. However, the total number of Africans involved in the broader context of slavery, including those sold within Africa, is likely much higher. Many enslaved individuals were sold to various regions, including the Americas, Europe, and within the African continent itself. The exact number remains difficult to determine due to the lack of comprehensive records.