Europeans who failed to treat the king or his agent fairly, found that the Africans simply refused to deal with them again.

Trade was always monopolized by the king, and he appointed specific merchants to deal with foreign businessmen.

As previously noted, it was by the control and taxation of commerce That the king financed his government and maintained his power.
The strength and weaknesses of the West African economy can be seen by a cursory glance at a list of its main exports and imports.

West African exports included gold, ivory, hides, leather goods, cotton, peppercorn, olive oil, and cola.

While some of these items were only exported for short distances, others found their way over long distances.