<P> The `` Scramble for Africa '' was the occupation , division , and colonisation of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism , between 1881 and 1914 . It is also called the Partition of Africa and by some the Conquest of Africa . In 1870 , only 10 percent of Africa was under European control ; by 1914 it had increased to almost 90 percent of the continent , with only Ethiopia ( Abyssinia ) , the Dervish state ( a portion of present - day Somalia ) and Liberia still being independent . </P>
what areas of africa were involved in colonization
90 percent of the continent