The Royal African Company (RAC) was founded in 1660 by the House of Stuart and City of London merchants to trade along the West African coast. Initially focused on trading for gold in the Gambia River, the company later became heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

In 1663, a new charter was obtained by the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading into Africa, which included the trade in slaves, marking a significant shift in their operations.

In 1664, Fort James was founded on an island about twenty miles up the Gambia river, serving as a new center for English trade and power in the region.

In 1667, the original Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa collapsed due to mounting debts, reemerging in 1672 as the Royal African Company (RAC) with a new royal charter.

In 1668, the Royal African Company created the Gambia Adventurers, a separate entity granted a ten-year license for African trade north of the Bight of Benin, enhancing their commercial activities.

The Royal African Company established forts and trading posts along the African coast, with its headquarters at Cape Coast Castle on the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana). They brought various professionals and workers to build these establishments.

The Royal African Company emerged in 1672 from the collapse of the Company of Royal Adventurers, being granted a monopoly in the slave trade.

In 1674, a proclamation was issued under the reign of Charles II detailing the history of conflicts between England and African nations, as well as the establishment of the Royal African Company. The proclamation aimed to address Englishmen encroaching on the Company's monopoly and reaffirm its exclusive rights and domains.

The Royal African Company was established in 1681 as a British mercantile company to trade in West Africa. It held a monopoly on the English trade in African slaves, gold, and ivory for over two decades.

In 1689, the Royal African Company lost its monopoly due to the Glorious Revolution, leading to the cessation of issuing letters of marque. Edward Colston transferred shares to William III to gain favor with the new regime.

In 1691, Champion Ashby transferred his shares of the Royal African Company to Thomas Louws. This transfer likely occurred due to the loss of the company's slave trade monopoly, increased competition, the overthrow of King James II, and issues of mismanagement.

Under pressure from the Parliament of England, William III rescinded the Royal African Company's monopoly in 1697. This decision led to the decline of the company, which eventually became insolvent by 1708.

In 1698, the Royal African Company acknowledged the loss of its monopoly on the trade due to the Glorious Revolution, leading to a shift from slave trading to ivory and gold dust.

In 1708, the Royal African Company became insolvent due to the inability to withstand competition under the Trade with Africa Act. It survived in a reduced state until 1750.

In 1709, Charles Davenant published a pamphlet advocating for the renewal of the Royal African Company's monopoly on the slave trade, citing Dutch competition as a reason for the necessity of a joint-stock company.

In 1731, the Royal African Company abandoned slave trading in favor of dealing with ivory and gold dust, marking a significant change in its operations.

The Royal African Company, which traded in enslaved persons and gold from Africa, was dissolved in 1750 with the creation of the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa by Parliament. This marked the end of the RAC's operations.

In 1752, the Royal African Company dissolved, marking the end of its operations. It was succeeded by the African Company of Merchants.

In June 1778, the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa for the Port of London was active. This company was involved in trading with Africa and had a significant presence in the port of London.

The Royal African Company was dissolved in 1997.