This would be a good description for the Benin Empire. Rich, urbanized, good army and infrastructure. IIRC some of their rulers did convert to Christianity, but not enough to please the Brits. They were only outright conquered when they allegedly killed British officials to prevent them from witnessing a sacrifice. But until then, they were treated with some degree of respect, even if not as equals.European powers will accept no african country as their equal - they didn't accept Asian countries as equals IOTL.
However, they accepted wealth and power. If you want European powers to treat some African country like, say, China or Siam or something, make them rich. Make them powerful, that is let them have large cities, well established infrastructure and administration, gunpowder, horses, standing army, good military tradition, large numbers of both military and civilians. Note that due to geographic proximity, European powers are more capable to project power into Africa than into Asia. Therefore, the African country should be rather more powerful than its Asian counterparts.
Finally, a good strategic situation (east African coast, provinces in the interior and not only coastal, Ethopia being an example) and being christian should help as well.
Jared's "Land of Red and Gold" gives an example of what civiilizations should be to be more on par with the Europeans.
None, really. Sub-Saharan Africa is very unsuitable territory for trade, modern centralized states, large-yield farming, or horses. Of the African countries, Ethiopia is probably most suitable for development, but even so it's a very long shot that depends on solving their Muslim problem* quickly and permanently.And let me rephrase the question a bit:
Which African nations around this period could plausibly "Meiji" to a point that they woukd be considered as such?
The Kongolese rulers were treated as equals by the Portuguese (during state visits, they were honored as visiting Christian monarchs, even though they were black), although that might have been earlier than 1600.
European powers will accept no african country as their equal - they didn't accept Asian countries as equals IOTL.
What's racist about asking how other people viewed yet another group of other people? If I enquire about Apartheid, does that make me racist?What is "civilization"? This is quite the racist/eurocentric question.
What is "civilization"? This is quite the racist/eurocentric question.
No it's not. Why do you think it got "s in the title? The OP specifically asked what the people at the time would consider civilized.What is "civilization"? This is quite the racist/eurocentric question.