Mansa Musa was the tenth Mansa, which translates to “sultan”, “conqueror”, or “emperor”, of the wealthy West African Mali Empire.

Mansa Musa was the tenth Mansa, which translates to “sultan”, “conqueror”, or “emperor”, of the wealthy West African Mali Empire.

Mansa Musa was the tenth Mansa, which translates to “sultan”, “conqueror”, or “emperor”, of the wealthy West African Mali Empire.

He ascended to the throne in 1312 and his reign is believed to have been from 1312 to 1337. Mansa Musa is often considered the richest person in history. His wealth was so immense that it’s said to be incalculable.

He was known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca and his significant contributions to Timbuktu and Gao, turning them into important centers of culture and learning.

Mansa Musa’s wealth came from the productive gold and salt mines of the Mali Empire. He controlled more than half of the world’s supply of the precious metals.

During his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, he traveled with a caravan of 60,000 men and 12,000 slaves. The caravan also included 80 camels each carrying between 50 and 300 pounds of gold dust. It’s said that he gave away so much gold in Cairo that it devalued the metal for the next decade.

His wealth and generosity left a mark on the regions he passed through, firmly establishing the fame and reputation of the Mali Empire throughout the known world.