- Portugal: Portugal was the first European country to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, and it remained a major player throughout the period. Portuguese slave traders brought millions of Africans to the Americas, and they also established colonies in Africa and Asia where slaves were used to work on plantations and other commercial enterprises.
- Spain: Spain was another major player in the slave trade, and it also established colonies in the Americas and Africa where slaves were used to work on plantations and other commercial enterprises. Spanish slave traders brought millions of Africans to the Americas, and they also played a role in the trans-Saharan slave trade.
- England: England was a major participant in the slave trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. English slave traders brought millions of Africans to the Americas, and they also established colonies in Africa and the Caribbean where slaves were used to work on plantations and other commercial enterprises.
- France: France was also a major participant in the slave trade, and it also established colonies in the Americas and Africa where slaves were used to work on plantations and other commercial enterprises. French slave traders brought millions of Africans to the Americas, and they also played a role in the trans-Saharan slave trade.
- Netherlands: The Netherlands was a major participant in the slave trade, and it also established colonies in the Americas and Africa where slaves were used to work on plantations and other commercial enterprises. Dutch slave traders brought millions of Africans to the Americas, and they also played a role in the trans-Saharan slave trade.
African countries that profited from the slave trade:
- Kingdom of Kongo: The Kingdom of Kongo was one of the most powerful African kingdoms in the 16th century, and it played a major role in the slave trade. Kongo kings sold slaves to Portuguese traders in exchange for guns, cloth, and other goods.
- Kingdom of Benin: The Kingdom of Benin was another major African kingdom that participated in the slave trade. Benin kings sold slaves to Portuguese and Dutch traders in exchange for guns, cloth, and other goods.
- Kingdom of Dahomey: The Kingdom of Dahomey was a major slave-trading kingdom in West Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. Dahomey kings sold slaves to European traders in exchange for guns, cloth, and other goods.
- Kingdom of Oyo: The Kingdom of Oyo was a major slave-trading kingdom in West Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. Oyo kings sold slaves to European traders in exchange for guns, cloth, and other goods.
Arab countries that profited from the slave trade:
- Egypt: Egypt was a major slave-trading country in the Middle East in the 18th and 19th centuries. Egyptian merchants sold slaves to European traders and to other Arab countries in the Middle East.
- Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire was a major slave-trading empire in the Middle East and North Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ottoman merchants sold slaves to European traders and to other Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Asian countries that profited from the slave trade:
- India: India was a major slave-trading country in Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Indian merchants sold slaves to European traders and to other Asian countries.
- China: China was a major slave-trading country in Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Chinese merchants sold slaves to European traders and to other Asian countries.