Final answer:
European imperialism in Africa was driven by economic motives, particularly the desire for rich natural resources and new markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major economic motivations that influenced European imperialism in Africa include the desire for profit from rich resources, new markets for goods, checking the ambitions of other European powers, technological advancement in imperial conquest, and asserting dominance on the world stage.
The most accurate statement among the given options is that European countries claimed territories throughout Africa because they wanted to profit from the land's rich resources, and they needed new colonies where they could sell their goods. This choice reflects the imperialist drive for raw materials to support their industries, the search for markets where they could sell manufactured goods, and economic dominance through plantation and mining systems.