The Sultanate of Ifat was a medieval Muslim state located in the Horn of Africa, primarily in present-day Ethiopia and Djibouti. Established in the 13th century, it played a significant role in trade and cultural exchange in the region, particularly through its connections with the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean trade networks. Ifat was known for its diverse population, which included Somali, Afar, and Arab communities. The sultanate was influential in the spread of Islam and engaged in various conflicts with neighboring states, including the Kingdom of Ethiopia, before eventually declining in the late 15th century.