West Africa had access to an abundance of gold but had almost no salt. On the other hand North Africa had lots and lots of salt. Once they found out about each other trade for gold and salt was booming.
Although it might seem weird to us that they were trading gold for salt it made sense because everyone needs salt to live. Then because of how much trade was going on Mansa Musa became the richest man of his time with all of the gold he was getting from the salt trade.
Silk Road and Gold Salt Trade
The Gold Salt trade and the silk road were two very important factors to the growth of civilization and advancements in technology. When the Silk road and Gold Salt trade first started it was only looked at like a way of life or a money making path. Little did they know the effect it would have on us all today. If the Silk road or Gold Salt trade did not exist today the people that live in West Africa may have never advanced or maybe could have even died. The Silk road affected almost everyone because without it people would never have gotten ideas from each other. People could have never advanced past bow and arrow or been able to grow different kinds of food.