By Matthew Mahmood
His country's production of more than half the world's supply of salt and gold contributed to Musa's vast wealth, which he used to build large mosques that still stand today.
—Daily Mail
Mansa Musa I (1280 – 1331) was the King of the Malian Empire in the 14th century. The Malian Empire consist of ‘Ghana, Timbuktu and Mali' in West Africa. A Muslim, Mansa Musa was from Timbuktu, Mali. His name is on the list of the wealthiest historical figures. In a new list of 25 Richest People Who Ever Lived (adjusted for inflation) by Celebrity Net Worth, Mansa Musa I of Mali is at the top of the list, as the richest man in all history with $400 billion. Bill Gates is the 12th richest man in all history with $136 billion, and the richest person alive on the list. Warren Buffett is at number 24 with $64 billion.
Maybe some African leaders should find out more about Mansa Musa I, especially how he ruled Mali Empire. It may help a few of them to realize that crude oil should not be a major source of revenue, and analyze why Africa should stop depending on international funds. It is shameful when children from oil producing countries depend on international aid for survival.
Annually, people are asked to donate money for poor African people via charities in Europe e.g., United Kingdom. Some European countries are in recession, and have their own problems to solve. Apart from recession, there is child poverty in Britain. The aim of the Child Poverty Act 2010 was to reduce child poverty by 2020.
There are untapped and abandoned resources in Africa. The masses are living in penury. Greedy politicians, and bank robbers aka some bank CEOs contribute to the suffering of the masses. The under development of the African continent has always been blamed on bad leadership. When will the good leaders emerge?
Nearly 700 years after he died, Mansa Musa is famous posthumously. It will be recalled that late Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was crowned the ‘king of kings’ by over 200 African kings in 2008. Nevertheless, Mansa Musa I was the ‘kings of kings’ of his era. ‘Mansa means “kings of kings” or emperor’. Was Mansa Musa one of Gaddafi’s heroes? In his lifetime, Gaddafi admired late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Child Poverty Act 2010
End Child Poverty: Child Poverty Map of the UK
Meet Mansa Musa I of Mali – the richest human being in all history
Meet the 14th Century African king who was richest man in the world of all time (adjusted for inflation!)
Who is the richest person of all time? He died nearly 700 years ago and you've probably never heard of him
