One of the major reasons for colonialism in Africa was

The major driving force behind European colonialism in Africa was economic interest. The Industrial Revolution in Europe created an enormous demand for raw materials (such as rubber, palm oil, cocoa, cotton, and minerals) to feed factories, as well as new markets in which to sell manufactured goods. Africa's vast natural resources and its potential as a consumer market made it an attractive target for European powers.

The economic motivations included:

• Access to cheap raw materials for European industries
• New markets for manufactured goods
• Cheap or forced labour to maximise profits
• Control of trade routes and strategic resources
• Investment opportunities in mining, agriculture, and infrastructure

While religious reasons (missionary activity), humanitarian claims (abolition of the slave trade and "civilising mission"), and developmental arguments were used to justify colonialism, historians broadly agree that these were secondary to - and often served as cover for - the primary economic motives. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which formalised the partition of Africa, was fundamentally driven by European commercial and territorial competition.