I learned that Africa had rich and diverse civilisations before colonisation, with organised governments, trade networks, education, and cultural traditions. The Mali empire, for example, reminds me that African history includes achievement and scholarship, not only slavery and colonial rule.

I think this history was excluded from many people’s education partly because colonial narratives presented Africa as a continent without progress before Europeans arrived. These ideas continued to influence what schools taught.

Learning this strengthens my identity as an African. It gives me pride in our heritage and encourages me to study our past more deeply. It also reminds me that we can draw inspiration from our ancestors while building a better future.