<P> William Easterly of New York University, however, disagrees with the link made between capitalism and imperialism, arguing that colonialism is used mostly to promote state - led development rather than "corporate" development . He has stated that "imperialism is not so clearly linked to capitalism and free markets...historically there has been a closer link between colonialism / imperialism and state - led approaches to development ." </P> <P> The rivalry between Britain, France, Germany, and the other European powers accounts for a large part of the colonisation . </P> <P> While tropical Africa was not a large zone of investment, other overseas regions were . The vast interior between Egypt and the gold and diamond - rich southern Africa had strategic value in securing the flow of overseas trade . Britain was under political pressure to secure lucrative markets against encroaching rivals in China and its eastern colonies, most notably India, Malaya, Australia and New Zealand . Thus, it was crucial to secure the key waterway between East and West--the Suez Canal . However, the prevailing theory which suggested that Britain annexed East Africa in the 1880--90s out of geo - strategic concerns connected to the Nile Valley and Britain's position in Egypt--and by extension the sea - route to India via the Suez Canal--was challenged by John Darwin in 1997, a refutation that was further contextualised and consolidated by Jonas F. Gjersø in 2015 . </P> <P> The scramble for African territory also reflected concern for the acquisition of military and naval bases, for strategic purposes and the exercise of power . The growing navies, and new ships driven by steam power, required coaling stations and ports for maintenance . Defense bases were also needed for the protection of sea routes and communication lines, particularly of expensive and vital international waterways such as the Suez Canal . </P>

Which two (2) of the following made up africa's only independent states by 1914