During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Salaga served as an important market where slaves were transported to the coast for export.

It was one of the most important market centres in West Africa, where kola, beads, ostrich feathers, animal hide, textiles and gold were traded.

However, from the 18th to the 19th century, it became the biggest slave market where humans were sold or exchanged for cowries. Ibrahim Jamal, a cultural officer at the Salaga Slave Market, in a recent interview on Joy News and monitored by GhanaWeb on Saturday, March 29, 2025, stated that slaves were brought to the Salaga Trade Market from all across the country. "Slaves here were brought from Upper East, Upper West and then the surrounding villages led by the slave agents who were the Hausa people. "One thing about the Salaga Slave Market is that the Europeans have never been here.

When they get to Cape coast, then are sold to the Europeans," he stated.