Many people consider Mansa Musa (c. 1312–1337) to be the wealthiest person to ever live. Mali's enormous wealth was on display during his 1324 trip to Mecca, when he brought a significant following of people and gave out so much gold that it allegedly led to inflation in the areas he visited. Beyond his wealth, Mansa Musa was a devoted Muslim who made investments in Mali's cultural and intellectual advancement, establishing learning institutions and mosques and bringing towns like Timbuktu to the attention of the world.
In 1280, Mansa Musa was born into the Mali royal line and went on to become emperor. He was probably educated in Islamic law, regional customs, and leadership techniques as a prince, preparing him for his future duties in the empire. He was a member of the Keita dynasty, which claimed ancestry from Sundiata Keita, the founder of the empire. Despite a lack of precise information regarding his early years, it is thought that he occupied an influential position in court and was actively engaged in the political and religious life of the empire from a young age. Additionally, it appears that he would have participated in numerous armed confrontations.
In 1312, Mansa Musa became the ruler of Mali in an unconventional way. When Emperor Muhammad Ibn Qu set off on a journey to explore the Atlantic Ocean and never came back, he was named deputy ruler, according to historical traditions. Musa took complete authority of the empire after being selected as the second-in-command. His seamless assumption of leadership demonstrated that he was already a reliable and competent individual. He established the groundwork for Mali's golden period by enlarging the empire, expanding commercial routes, and encouraging Islamic scholarship after he came to power.
Mansa Musa governed Mali with a heavy emphasis on justice, organization, and Islamic principles. Musa placed a strong emphasis on Islamic law and sought to bring the empire closer to the larger Muslim world, in contrast to some previous rulers who more strongly combined native African values with leadership. He maintained a sizable and well-trained force to guard trade routes, appointed governors to supervise various provinces, and promoted the use of Arabic in academic and administrative contexts. Additionally, Musa made significant investments in places like Timbuktu and Gao, transforming them into prosperous hubs of education, trade, and religion. His emphasis on architecture, education, and religious harmony distinguished him from other rulers and contributed to the development of a highly organized, internationally interconnected empire that lasted long after he left office.