After reading through
this post I've been wondering if it's possible (rephrase that, there are enough TLs and PODs for Malinese, Ethiopian, Egyptian and Kongolese (even Draka) Empires in Africa that I'm sure it
is) for Africa to end up divided differently.
Admittedly, while Cyon/Robinson's alt-histories involving a depopulated Europe are nice and all, I'm looking more along the lines of OTL. Until the 19th century, Africa pretty much had minimal colonization (compared with India and the Americas). Is there a way to jump start the 'Scramble for Africa' earlier? Or perhaps let African empires become contenders with European empires (probably simply by dint of being there first, or expanding into uncontested space) that the map of Africa looks
very different to OTL.
Essentially, I'm open to any suggestion that results in an alternate map of Africa, from a native empire pulling a Meiji (if any could) to more powers being involved in the 19th century Scramble for Africa (Austria, Brasil, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, being the first ones that pop into my head - all had trading posts in Africa in the previous century IIRC, but by the time of the Scramble had either sold said posts, were barred by treaty or been forced out by competitors). Just as long as Africa doesn't end up as one big blob all one colour (no Cape to Cairo corridor or nearly entirely French West Africa would be nice to see. Maybe the pink map?)
Anyway, have at it.