Portugal was the first European nation that set up trading posts on the coast of West Africa. They traded brass and copper bracelets in exchange with cloths, pepper, beads and slaves. The Portugese actually went to west Africa in search of gold. Prince Henry was a famous Portugese patron that sponsored the first europeans that came to West Africa for trading. The target of the Portugese explorers were also to find a sea route that would help them bring spices to their nation. After fourty years of trading through the coast of West Africa, the Portugese asked for permission to build a trading post and a storing house in west Africa.
