Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) was the ruler of the kingdom of Mali, one of the richest kingdoms of Africa from 1312 C.E. to 1337 C.E. Mansa Musa is considered by many scholars to be the richest individual in world history, with an estimated worth
of over $400 billion. Mansa’s extreme wealth was due to his country’s
production and trade of salt and gold which accounted for more than half of the
world’s supply at that time.
Word of Mansa Musa’s wealth, prodigious generosity and civility would reach well
beyond the continent of Africa, into the Middle East and parts for Europe. In fact, during his pilgrimage to Mecca in the year 1324, Mansa gave away so much gold that
he singlehandedly almost bankrupted the country of Egypt due to its decline in
value from him flooding the market. Mansa left such a favorable impression with
the people of Cairo, that the more than one million residents of the city would
still sing praises of him more than 12 years after his visit.
During his reign, Mansa built mosques and large public buildings in cities
like Gao and, most famously, Timbuktu. Timbuktu’s rapid economic growth during
the 14th century established the city as a world center of learning for
many different religions, arts and sciences, drawing I scholars from all over
the world. Timbuktu’s many schools, universities, libraries, and mosques would
rival some of the best learning centers in Eastern Europe.
