Define colonialism in its African context?

Colonialism in the African context refers to the period of European domination and control over African territories, resources, and people during the 19th and early 20th centuries. European powers, such as Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal, established colonies in Africa through conquest, treaties, and other means, exploiting the continent's natural resources and labor force for their own economic and political gain. This period of colonial rule had lasting impacts on African societies, including the disruption of traditional social structures, the imposition of European languages and cultures, and the exploitation and marginalization of African populations. Colonialism in Africa ultimately led to the struggle for independence and the decolonization movements that swept across the continent in the mid-20th century.