Why was Henry Stanley sent to Africa?

Henry Stanley was sent to Africa primarily to locate the Scottish missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, who had not been heard from for several years. In 1869, the New York Herald newspaper commissioned Stanley to lead an expedition to find Livingstone, which he successfully accomplished in 1871. This expedition not only brought attention to Livingstone's work in Africa but also marked the beginning of Stanley's own explorations and involvement in the continent's colonization. Subsequently, Stanley played a significant role in the establishment of King Leopold II's control over the Congo Free State.