Abstract
This study examines the origin of kola-nuts trade and the indispensability of kola-nut trade in West Africa. Desk research was carried out using past published literature. The study established the fact that kola nut production was indigenous to the West Africa Forest and pinpointed the actual origin of kola-nut especially Cola nitida to be along the western coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to the republic of Benin. On the other hand, the areas of Ijare and Idanre in Ondo State of Nigeria are currently believed to be the places where Cola acumunata originated. The dominant variety of kola-nut grown in Western and Eastern parts of Nigeria was cola acumunata and Cola verticillata. However, in terms of production, before the 19th century the production of cola nitida was limited to the forests west of the Volta River in Ghana. Both linguistic and ethnographic data were used to trace the origin of kola-nut and developed a chronology with regard to the origins and trade routes for kola-nuts. The research work however established the importance of kola-nut production and trade to the economies of West Africa countries where they are produced and traded. It was however recommended that considering the indispensability of kola-nut trade to West Africa particularly Nigeria, the government should take proactive steps to increase the scope of production and trade of this crop in order to improve the livelihoods of kola-nuts farmers and traders as well as increase it contributions to the national economy.
Highlights
Most tree crops are perennial crops which are alive for many years and produce their fruits several times before dying [1]
Since a lot of people ranging from producers, processors, marketers, transporters and so on depend on kola nuts for their livelihoods, there is the need to carry out scientific investigation as regard the indispensability of kola nuts to West African trade
An important article of trade in Nigeria and some other West African countries have been traded for many centuries creating sources of livelihood for kola farmers, processors, marketers, transporters, and so on
Summary
Most tree crops are perennial crops which are alive for many years and produce their fruits several times before dying [1]. In summary on the uses of kola nuts, today millions upon millions of people ingest kolanut extract as one of the ingredients in products created by pharmaceutical, dietary and food and drink industries. The standard of living of those involved in kola trading activities in both rural and urban centres of African countries especially where it is produced in large quantities have improved over the years due to its economic contribution to both domestic and national markets. This give credence to the fact that kola nut trade is an indispensable trade in African continents of the world
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
