Why are Muslims prominent in trade in Eritrean towns?

In Eritrea, the prominence of Muslims in trade within urban centers is closely linked to historical and geographical factors. Following the rise of Islam in the 7th century, Muslim influence spread across the Red Sea coast and into the lowlands of the Horn of Africa, displacing other creeds in those regions.1

While Christianity became the dominant faith among the cultivators of the plateau, Islam became the faith of the pastoralist populations inhabiting the eastern coast and western plains. This demographic distribution fostered a long-standing, perennial competition between cultivators and pastoralists regarding land, water, and access to ports. Because these groups have historically vied for control over trade, Muslims—who traditionally occupied the coastal and lowland regions—established a significant and enduring presence in the trade networks of Eritrean towns.1