The Berlin Conference (German: Kongokonferenz or "Congo Conference '') of 1884 -- 85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the Imperialism period, and coincided with Germany 's sudden emergence as an imperial power. Called for by Portugal and organized by Otto von Bismarck, first Chancellor of Germany, its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalization of the Scramble for Africa. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity by European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African autonomy and self - governance. During this colonial time, the economy of Africa was re-arranged to serve Europe and Europeans, and the European industrial chain began in Africa and ended in European industrial warehouses.
who controlled a lot of governments and financial agents in africa at the end of the 19th century
European powers