Which West African trading groups had commercial links with the Mossi state?

The Mossi states maintained significant commercial relationships with several major West African trading powers. Despite their military independence and ability to resist invasions from empires such as the Songhai and the Fulani, they acted as key intermediaries in regional trade networks.123

The primary West African trading groups that held commercial links with the Mossi state included:

• The Dyula: Mande-speaking merchants who were instrumental in expanding trade routes across western Africa.423
• The Hausa: A group whose city-states developed extensive trading networks that rivaled those of the Mande.423
• The Asante: A powerful trading power to the south with whom the Mossi maintained valuable economic connections.23

Additionally, from about 1400, the Mossi functioned as trading intermediaries between the forest states to the south and the various cities located along the Niger River.1