When you talk about the richest humans that have ever existed whose accounts were recorded in history, the name Mansa Musa is always right up there. All evidence indicates that he is very likely the richest human being that has ever lived. His wealth is estimated to be worth over $400 billion
Mansa Musa of Mali is known by many names; Kankou Musa, Kankan Musa, Kanku Musa, Mali-Koy Kankan Musa, Gonga Musa. As a man of immense wealth and power, he was also accorded many titles some of which are: The Lion of Mali, Emir of Melle, Lord of The Mines of Wangara, Conqueror of Ghanata.
He was born in 1280 and is widely believed to have died in 1337.
Musa was the 10th Mansa of the Mali Empire of West Africa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337. Mansa means sultan or conqueror or emperor.
Musa’s wealth at the time was of such a level that the world has never witnessed. His wealth came from the empire’s gold.
During the time of his reign, Mali was the largest producer of gold in the world
The Mali empire at the time also comprised of the conquered Ghana Empire also known as Wagadou with its gold deposits.
The Empire of Mali encompassed present-day nations of Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and some parts of present-day Mauritania.
Musa’s display of wealth was legendary. There are many accounts of his pilgrimage to Mecca, this trip contributed in no small measure to his popularity, especially across the Middle East and Northern Africa.
The most talked-about pilgrimage was made between 1324 and 1325.
He was accompanied by no less than 60,000 men all clothed with gold-laced silk known as brocade. At the time, silk was a luxury that could be only afforded by the rich. His hundreds of royal aids or heralds too were clothed in silk and each had gold staffs. He also brought with him about 21,600 kg of solid gold bars that were carried by his 12,000 servants. Also, in his convoy were about 80 camels that were each saddled with between 23 – 136 kg of gold dust, thousands of soldiers, and entertainers. Musa brought with him enough food and provision to cater for the whole caravan – man and animals alike
The procession was a sight to behold. As documented by several eyewitnesses, it was like a city moving through the desert. The caravan stretched as far as the eye can see, there are claims that it took a full day for the whole convoy to pass.
Musa was very charitable, and he gave freely especially to the poor. There are numerous accounts of him building a mosque every Friday during the pilgrimage.
It is on record that the quantity of gold he gave out to the poor he met along his route, his generous spending, and the amount of gold he donated to some cities he passed through including Medina and Cairo, were so much that it resulted in a gold recession which went on to last for more than a decade.
The sudden and massive influx of gold in the region particularly in the cities of Medina, Mecca and Cairo was so much that gold became significantly devalued, causing inflation.
Later, having realized the aftermath of his generosity, Musa tried to remedy the situation by trying to take as much gold as he could out of circulation. He did this by borrowing as much gold as there was available to be borrowed, and he lured lenders with high interest payments on his debts.
This incident became known as the only time in history that an individual had ever single-handedly controlled the price of gold in the Mediterranean.
Mansa Musa was not just a man of great wealth, he also accomplished great feats. It is on record that he conquered 24 cities and their surrounding districts.
He is credited with recapturing Timbuktu after it was raided and taken by the Mossi Kingdom. After he took back the city, to prevent future attacks he fortified it and permanently had an army guard it.
It was also during his reign that Mali captured Gao the capital city of The Songhai empire. This feat greatly expanded the empire’s territory.
Musa took the empire to great heights. He is credited to have greatly encouraged architecture, literature and arts. Being a devout Moslem, he also spread and encouraged Islam.
Mansa Musa’s construction works in Mali are unrivalled especially in the building of structures.
Many of the monuments in Mali today owe their existence to him.
