When did the rise of the Songhai Empire occur?

The rise of the Songhai Empire occurred in the late 15th century, particularly during the reign of Sunni Ali, who ruled from 1464 to 1492. Under his leadership, the empire expanded significantly, taking control of important trade cities such as Timbuktu and Gao. The empire reached its peak in the 16th century, becoming one of the largest Islamic empires in history.