Swahili City States

Trade

The growth of Indian Ocean trade between Asia and Africa led to the development of influential coastal city-states in East Africa. Trade involved both local and international exchanges. These city states traded with kingdoms like Great Zimbabwe to obtain valuable resources such as gold, ivory, and iron, which were the main exports of the region. They imported goods from Asia, including silk, cotton, and porcelain. Swahili city states also exported large amounts of glass beads and pottery.