Final answer:
Sundiata Keita is recognized as the founder of the Mali Empire and its first king, ruling from 1230 to 1255. He established Niani as the capital and expanded the empire's wealth and size. The global recognition of Mali's wealth continued to grow, especially under the rule of his descendant, Mansa Musa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The founder of the Mali Empire and its first king is Sundiata Keita. He ruled from 1230 to 1255 and established Mali as a powerful state in West Africa. Sundiata Keita chose Niani as the capital and expanded the empire to include significant trading cities like Gao, Jenne, and Walata. While the empire under Sundiata was technically an Islamic state, it incorporated traditional African religious practices. His expansion efforts led to Mali's rise as a key agricultural and trading center, surpassing the wealth of the previous Ghana Empire.
The expansion of the empire continued under Sundiata's descendant, Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337 and is well-known for his lavish pilgrimage to Mecca. However, it was Sundiata Keita who created the empire and unified the Malinke people by convincing other kings to surrender their title of 'mansa' to him, thereby becoming the sole religious and secular leader of the Malinke.