The rise of nationalism in Africa was a complex and gradual process shaped by historical, political, economic, and cultural factors, particularly during the colonial and post–Second World War periods. African nationalism emerged as a response to European colonial domination, racial discrimination, economic exploitation, and the denial of political rights. It sought to restore dignity, self-rule, and collective identity to African societies that had been subordinated under imperial rule. Colonialism disrupted traditional political systems and social structures across Africa. European powers imposed artificial boundaries, centralized administrations, and economic systems designed to benefit the metropole rather than local populations. Africans were excluded from decision-making processes and subjected to forced labor, land alienation, and unequal laws. These conditions created widespread resentment and laid the foundation for nationalist consciousness. Early resistance movements, though often localized and fragmented, represented the first expressions of opposition to foreign rule. The growth of Western education played a crucial role in shaping African nationalism. Missionary schools and colonial institutions produced an educated