Difference between trans saharan trade and Indian Ocean trade?

Answer 1

The Indian ocean trade involved the Swahili Coast (along Eastern Africa), the Spice Islands (Southeastern Asia), India, China, and the Middle East.

The Trans-Saharan trade involved the Western Africa empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, in that order, and Northern Africa. They also interacted with the Arabs.

The Indian Ocean traded mainly traded cotton cloth, textiles, and spices like pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Trans-Saharan trade exchanged mostly gold from Northern Africa for salt in Western Africa. It also traded ivory, slaves, and exotic animals.

Answer 2

Trans-Saharan trade involved the exchange of goods and resources across the Sahara Desert in Africa, connecting North Africa with West Africa. Indian Ocean trade involved maritime trade routes between countries bordering the Indian Ocean and interconnected regions, facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas. Both trade networks were important for the development of civilizations and the spread of goods and ideas throughout history.