What people were important in developing new ideas in africa during the imperialist era?

Answer 1

The African National Congress, especially Nelson Mandela. While imperialists spoke of ideas like self-determination (for themselves and allies), the native Africans fought for national independence, freedom from external sovereignty, education, food, housing, redistribution of lands, the means of production, etc. In effect: self sufficiency.

Answer 2

Your question doesn't make sense. Do you mean new ideas ABOUT Africa? If you really mean IN Africa, you get people like Mathatma Ghandi, who practiced law in South Africa in the early 20th Century, Lord Baden Powell, whose exploits during the Boer War led to the formation of the Boy Scouts. BTW, Winston Churchill was also in Africa at that time as a newspaper correspondent.

Answer 3

The British and Germans. The whole world would be lots better off if we had just let them be natives of Africa. A bunch of stupid idiots thought they would be better if educated about governments, science, religions, and blah, blah, blah. Like everything man tries to 'fix' about nature, it failed miserably and totally backfired in our faces. Should have left them as we found them, as naked savages. They were quite happy as uncivilized savages. The ONLY thing that improved was that they learned new and easier ways to kill each other.