• Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) exported 1.2M captive Africans in 1600-1850
  • National trading companies were given monopoly over trading interests in region
  • Private European ships often circumvented monopolies in enslavement commerce
• Trade network known as the Akani dominated gold trade between interior and coast
• In 17th century, Denkyira controlled interior, east was controlled by Akyem and Akwamu
• By mid-18th century, Akwamu and Akani networks collapsed, Asante began ruling
• Asante empire spent most of 18th century expanding territory and resources