Which statement describes Sunni Ali's role in West African history?

• A. Founded Mali Empire.
• B. Created the Songhai Empire and was its first ruler.
• C. Invented the caravanserai.
• D. Led Ghana to begin trans-Saharan trade.

Answer: (B)

Sunni Ali's impact on West African history centers on founding and expanding the Songhai Empire. He turned Gao into the empire’s core and led military campaigns that brought key trading cities like Timbuktu and Djenné under Songhai control, creating a powerful, centralized state that dominated trans-Saharan trade along the Niger River. This is why he is remembered as the first ruler of the Songhai Empire. He did not found the Mali Empire—that was established earlier by Sundiata Keita. The idea of inventing caravanserais isn’t linked to his legacy, and Ghana’s kingdom, which predates Songhai, isn’t what he is known for initiating.