Slave trade in West Africa refers to the manipulative as well as exploitative buying and selling of able-bodied men from West African states such as Dahomey to European countries like Portugal. Slave trade was abolished in 1830, following the passing of the Anti-slavery Act by Britain. There were a plethora of reasons why slave trade continued in West Africa up to the last half of the nineteenth century and these include but are not limited to; lack of a substitute amongst West African states, lack of mechanical industrialization of most European countries and resistance by West African leaders to abort Slave Trade. The mandate of this paper is to closely look into the reasons why slave trade continued to the second and final half of the nineteenth century.




Lack of a substitute amongst West African States was vital behind the continuation of slave trade up to the second half of the nineteenth century. This is because West African states such as Dahomey and Asante had been established with Slave Trade as the backbone of their economies. More so, these states never engaged in other economic activities such as agriculture. Thus, this lack of a substitute amongst West African states explains why slave trade perpetuated up to the last half of the nineteenth century.




The lack of mechanical industrialization in most European countries was pertinent behind the perpetuation of slave trade up to the last half of the nineteenth century.  It must be noted that most countries and states in Europe and America such as Portugal, Brazil, North and South America had not yet mechanically industrialised. Only Britain had mechanically industrialised. This, therefore, meant that the demand for slaves who worked in the plantations of these Europeans and Americans skyrocketed. This explains why the European countries and American states in question did not take heed to the Anti-Slavery Act passed by Britain in 1830. Therefore, the lack of mechanical industrialization in European countries and American states was critical behind the continuation of slave trade in West Africa.




Resistance by African leaders was also pivotal in the perpetuation of slave trade in West Africa up to the last half of the nineteenth century. This is because most African leaders such as chiefs resistance attempts to collaborate with Britain to do away with slave trade. For example,  the Efic of Calabar refused to end slave trade while a Bonny Chief who refused is cited as having said that,” It is easier to catch slaves than elephants.” The chiefs had great power and influence, hence their decisions were final. Thus, slave trade in West Africa continued up to the last half of the nineteenth century owing to resistance by most West African leaders. 




A transportation deficit was also crucial behind the continuation of slave trade in West Africa up to the second half of the nineteenth century. It is important to note that most West African states continued trading in slaves simply because slaves are easier to transport unlike legitimate products. Legitimate crops and products demand an efficient transport system to be carried from a state to the coastal areas. Furthermore, most states such as Bonny and Calabar which were distant from the coastal areas failed to develop the much needed efficient transport systems resulting in the continuation of slave trade. Therefore, slave trade perpetuated up to the last half of the nineteenth century due to  a sharp deficit of efficient transport systems.




A looming financial crisis  in Britain was greatly behind the continuation of slave trade up to the last half of the nineteenth century. This is because Britain passed the Anti-Slavery Bill in 1807 and later enacted it in 1830 without sufficient finances. This financial crisis led to the failure of the Anti-Slavery squadrons to monitor and punish those engaged in slave trade after its abolishment. Moreover, Britain failed to pay the compensation to the European countries and American states who had invested a lot in the slave trading business. Hence, financial crisis and turmoil in Britain was behind the perpetuation of slave trade up to the last half of the nineteenth century.




To conclude, this paper has looked closely into the several reasons behind the perpetuation of slave trade to the last half of the nineteenth century. These include but are not confined to; lack of a substitute amongst African states, lack of mechanical industrialisation in most European countries and African states and resistance by African leaders. It is prudent to argue that the continuation of slave trade to the final half of the nineteenth century arose due to multi-facets.

Related posts:

Why did the slave trade, from and within East and West Africa, continue into the second half of the nineteenth century? Examine the challenges encountered in the transition to legitimate trade Reasons for the abolition of slave trade Reasons for the Atlantic slave trade