I am working on a setting that is a fantasy version of sub Sahara Africa, although I suppose this applies to post apocalyptic settings as well. The question is how to best handle a barter economy? Is it better to have the PCs actually be forced to trade stuff, or come up with a pseudo currency and describe it as small items that are in high demand and easy to carry. What is your opinion?

I'd go with the latter option.

Depends on how important the fact that it's a barter economy really is for your campaign. If it's a central part of it make it count and make every transaction with items the characters have on them. Otherwise go with the pseudo currency to avoid bogging down the story.
Alternatively choose a mddle ground where importand and expensive things can't be paid with the pseudo currency due to lack of value.

Thank you everyone, I think that I will just use a pseudo currency. Although some valuable stuff will require other things to obtain.

8 hours ago, Nohwear said:

Thank you everyone, I think that I will just use a pseudo currency. Although some valuable stuff will require other things to obtain.

the pseudo currency in a sub-saharan setting is Salt, usually equated to silver or gold (pound per pound)

Or abstract it further to "resources", reflecting if the characters have enough of whatever to trade for whatever they're after.