What most increased exploration and interests in the interior of Africa?

The exploration and interest in the interior of Africa were significantly increased by the search for trade routes, particularly for valuable resources like gold, ivory, and spices. The advent of the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, coupled with advancements in navigation and shipbuilding, allowed European powers to venture deeper into the continent. Additionally, the missionary zeal to spread Christianity and the curiOSity about African cultures and geographies spurred further expeditions. Notable explorers, such as David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley, also played a critical role in capturing public imagination and promoting exploration.