Portugal was eager to access the gold and silver resources found in Africa. The famed city of Timbuktu, located in present-day Mali, was known to be a significant trading center for gold and other precious metals.
Ivory:
African elephants were hunted for their tusks, which were highly valued for the production of luxury items such as jewelry, carvings, and furniture.
Spices:
West Africa was a source of various prized spices, including pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. These spices were highly sought after in European markets for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Slaves:
Trans Atlantic Slave Trade played a major role in Portuguese exploration of Africa. The Portuguese saw the opportunity to acquire and trade enslaved Africans for labor on their plantations and colonies in the Americas.