Two enormous pillars of pre-colonial African history that dominated the continent for centuries were the empires of Ghana and Mali. Despite the distinctive features of each empire, there were notable parallels between their political and economic frameworks that promoted stability and prosperity. However, a major area of difference that formed the identities of the empires differently was the influence of religion. Despite their differences, it is clear that the Ghana and Mali Empires had more things in common than differences when looking at their governmental structures, economic systems, and religious customs. Both the Ghana and Mali Empires operated under centralized political systems characterized by strong, authoritative leadership. In Ghana, a paramount ruler known as the "Ghana" or "King" held sway over …show more content…
The existence of such administrative hierarchies underscores the organizational similarities between the Ghana and Mali Empires, reflecting their shared commitment to centralized governance. The Ghana and Mali Empires prospered economically due to their active trading networks that allowed resources and goods to be transferred over great distances. The vital arteries of their respective economies were the key trade routes that both empires controlled, especially those involving precious commodities like salt, gold, and other resources. In particular, the trans-Saharan commerce network was essential in tying West Africa and the Mediterranean region together and benefited both empires much from profitable trading agreements. Due to their abundant gold reserves, which supported their prosperity, Ghana and Mali saw gold emerge as a pillar of their respective economies. Trans-Saharan caravans made the gold trade possible, drawing traders from far-off places and enhancing the empires' economic