There were many factors that led to the colonization of Africa one was the desire to control the valuable natural resources that existed in African territories. Another major reason was that colonies were seen as a status symbol that could increase the prestige of a state and also the states real power relative to other states. Therefore, states were not powerful states in Europe unless they possessed major colonies. In Africa the colonization was also facilitated by the proximity of Africa to Europe thereby it was easier for European states to get to Africa.