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Mansu (emperor) Musa (also called Kankan Mūsā) served as king of the Kingdom of Mali, located in Western Africa. He was the first African ruler to be widely known throughout Europe and the Middle East, and is regarded as the richest person to have ever lived. Musa ruled from 1312 to 1377.

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Musa Keita was born sometime around the year 1280 C.E in Mali Empire, Africa. Great nephew of Sundiata Keita, founder of the dynasty, 1235 C.E.  Sundiata ruled until his death in 1255 CE. He was appointed deputy to Abu-Bakra-Keita II who reportedly embarked on an expedition to explore the Atlantic Ocean. He never returned, the throne passed on to Musa Keita who picked up the title of Mansa, meaning King.

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Coming to the throne. 14th century, 1312.

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Coming to the throne. 14th century, 1312.

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In 1312, Musa became emperor following the death of Abu-Bakr II. When he was crowned, he was given the name Mansa meaning king. Preparing for the expedition took years and involved the work of artisans in numerous towns and cities across Mali. In 1324 Musa began his pilgrimage with an entourage of thousands of escorts. He was the first African ruler to be widely known throughout Europe and the Middle East, and is regarded as the richest person to have ever lived. His wealth greatly surpassing anyone today.

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He became the first Muslim ruler in West Africa to make the nearly four thousand mile journey to Mecca, Musa came to the throne through a practice of appointing a deputy. Preparing for the expedition took years and involved the work of artisans in numerous towns and cities across Mali. In 1324 Musa began his pilgrimage with an entourage of thousands of escorts. He also brought considerable amounts of gold, some of which was distributed along the journey.

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He also used the money to strengthen the country’s cultural centers, particularly Timbuktu, which he took over in 1324. He plenty to spend, his caravan throughout Cairo, Medina, and finally to Mecca had a procession of more than 60,000, dozens of animals, and plenty of gold. In fact, as they traveled, Musa and his entourage gave gold away to people in the streets. They also bought so much stuff, to point of where  they  messed up the global economy for a while. The gold he spent circulated, and there was so much of it, that the value actually went down.

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Musa got his wealth primarily  through exploiting his country's salt and gold production, which were found in West Africa. It's impossible to say whether or not Mansa Musa's wealth was exaggerated by his contemporaries. But it certainly had a tremendous impact on global perceptions of Mali — and the economy of Egypt. His net worth was estimated to be 400 billion

Areas Mansa Musa exchanged salt for gold through Africa.

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He actually ended up using most of it to build a great number of mosques (legend says he built one every Friday of his reign), the most famous of which is the Djinguereber Mosque. He also commissioned many universities throughout the kingdom — many of which, along with the mosques, are still standing today, some 700 years later. He also used the money to strengthen the country’s cultural centers, particularly Timbuktu, which he took over in 1324.

The empire Mansa Musa conquered 1312.

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Mansa Musa died in 1337 after a twenty-five year reign. When compared to the reigns of his successors, son Mansa Maghan (ruled from 1377-1341). Musa died of natural causes.