The unique factor that allowed both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states to rise and thrive as trade empires was their geographic locations. Both were strategically located along important trade routes, which facilitated the exchange of goods and attracted numerous traders and merchants from various regions. The Axum Empire, located in present-day Ethiopia, had access to both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean trade routes. Similarly, the Swahili city-states, located along the East African coast, were in a prime position to engage in long-distance trade between the African interior and the Indian Ocean trade networks. Their geographical positions allowed them to serve as intermediaries for the exchange of goods and ideas between different regions, leading to economic prosperity and cultural diversity in these empires.
