Kanem-Bornu

Kanem-Bornu was a powerful Islamic empire and trade center in Central Africa, existing from around the 9th century until the 19th century. It was located in what is now northeastern Nigeria, southeastern Niger, and parts of Chad and Cameroon. The empire was known for its wealth, strategic trade routes, and its capital, Birni N'Konni. It played a significant role in regional commerce, especially in gold, salt, and slaves, and helped spread Islam in the region. Over centuries, it successfully resisted external invasions until the late 1800s, when colonial powers gradually took control.