The Atlantic slave trade had a negative impact on African societies and the long-term impoverishment of West Africa. For some it intensified effects already present among its rulers and kingdoms.
Africans could become slaves:
Some societies preyed on others to obtain captives to exchange for firearms. They believed they had to acquire firearms in this way to protect themselves from attack and capture by rivals.
Slavery within African society grew in parallel with the Atlantic slave trade. As the demand of the Atlantic trade grew, more societies accommodated themselves to the trade in slaves. Most of the slaves retained within African societies were women and children. Their burden of work increased as a result.