Here's why:
* Trans-Saharan Trade: Arabic was the language of trade across the Sahara Desert, connecting North Africa to West Africa. It facilitated communication between merchants and scholars from different regions.
* Islamic Influence: Islam spread widely across West Africa, and Arabic became the language of religious texts, scholarship, and education. Many West African rulers and scholars learned Arabic to engage with Islamic literature and thought.
* Administration and Governance: Some West African kingdoms adopted Arabic for administrative purposes, including record-keeping and official correspondence.
* Education and Scholarship: Islamic schools and universities in West Africa used Arabic as the primary language of instruction, leading to the development of a rich tradition of Islamic scholarship and learning in the region.
While Arabic became the dominant language in these areas, local languages continued to be spoken and used for everyday communication. However, Arabic's role in government, trade, and scholarship made it a crucial language for those seeking to engage with the wider world and participate in the intellectual and economic life of the region.