in the european colonial period northwest africa was primarily under the control of what country
Scramble for Africa The "Scramble for Africa" was the occupation, division, and colonisation of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism, between 1881 and 1914. It is also called the Partition of Africa and by some the Conquest of Africa. In 1870, only 10 percent of Africa was under European control; by 1914 it had increased to almost 90 percent of the continent, with only Ethiopia (Abyssinia), the Dervish state (a portion of present-day Somalia)[1] and Liberia still being independent.
History of Kenya By 1850 European explorers had begun mapping the interior.[18] Three developments encouraged European interest in East Africa in the first half of the 19th century.[19] First, was the emergence of the island of Zanzibar, located off the east coast of Africa.[19] Zanzibar became a base from which trade and exploration of the African mainland could be mounted.[19] By 1840, to protect the interests of the various nationals doing business in Zanzibar, consul offices had been opened by the British, French, Germans and Americans. In 1859, the tonnage of foreign shipping calling at Zanzibar had reached 19,000 tons.[17] By 1879, the tonnage of this shipping had reached 89,000 tons. The second development spurring European interest in Africa was the growing European demand for products of Africa including ivory and cloves. Thirdly, British interest in East Africa was first stimulated by their desire to abolish the slave trade.[20] Later in the century, British interest in East Africa would be stimulated by German competition.