What two west African kingdoms were successful?

Two successful West African kingdoms were the Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire. The Mali Empire, flourishing from the 13th to 16th centuries, was known for its wealth, particularly in gold, and for its legendary ruler Mansa Musa, who promoted education and Islamic culture. The Songhai Empire, which rose to prominence in the 15th century, became one of the largest empires in African history, thriving on trade and known for its centers of learning, especially in the city of Timbuktu. Both empires played crucial roles in the trans-Saharan trade routes, significantly influencing the region’s culture and economy.