Final answer:
From 1880 to 1900, France expanded its empire in West Africa, acquiring several colonies and establishing control over territories such as the Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Cameroon, and Chad.
Step-by-step explanation:
French Expansion in West Africa
From 1880 to 1900, France expanded its empire in West Africa, acquiring several colonies including the Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Cameroon, and Chad. French naval officer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza negotiated treaties with local rulers on behalf of France. These colonies provided markets for goods and abundant palm oil for industrial machinery. France also took control of French Somaliland (Djibouti) and Madagascar in East Africa.