Africa the world’s second largest continent evolved from nomadic tribes to sedentary communities and then to powerful empires. Ghana, Mali, and Songhahi were all empires that relied heavily on trade of salt and gold, powerful militaries, and Islamic influence to become powerful empires.Ghana became a powerful state when it gained control of valuable trade routes with the help of a strong military.The empire of Mali reached its height under the ruler Mansa Musa, but the empire fell to invaders in the 1400s.The Songhai built a new Islamic empire in West Africa, conquering many of the lands that were once part of Mali.