Infrastructure and curiosity.
The europeans had a better infrastructure and this enabled them to build ships and also make guns etc. for protection.
I suppose this is what "allowed" as in made it possible.
Other considerations may apply.
Mary Kingsley
European nations colonized Africa in the 19th century because of it's wealth of natural resources. Africa had a great amount of petroleum, lead, tin, copper and precious gems. Africa was a source of economic growth for the European countries.
The Portuguese Empire was the longest colonial European empire, with its inception dating back to its capture of Cueta in North Africa in 1415 CE. With its European borders safe from attack, Portugal was free to expand and explore other regions. It became the first European nation to explore and establish colonies in west Africa.
Berlin Conference
Seven European nations took part in partitioning parts of Africa. They were: 1. England 2. France 3. Germany 4. Italy 5. Portugal 6. Spain 7. Belgium
The Europeans had military advantages such as superior weapons
It was colonized because there was a lot of gold and diamonds in Africa
Portugal
africa
industrialized western European nations
The Berlin Conference of 1884-85. Many European nations met to decide on what to do about where nations were allowed to Colonize, trade, and help stop Slavery (which at the time existed in Africa but had been nearly completely abolished in Europe).
Mary Kingsley
European nations colonized Africa in the 19th century because of it's wealth of natural resources. Africa had a great amount of petroleum, lead, tin, copper and precious gems. Africa was a source of economic growth for the European countries.
Because at the time European nations were so powerful they were able to do whatever they wanted.
The Portuguese Empire was the longest colonial European empire, with its inception dating back to its capture of Cueta in North Africa in 1415 CE. With its European borders safe from attack, Portugal was free to expand and explore other regions. It became the first European nation to explore and establish colonies in west Africa.
protectorates
Protectorates