Final answer:
The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was economic gain through resources and markets. European powers sought to exploit Africa's natural resources and establish captive consumer markets for their manufactured goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was economic gain through resources and markets. European powers sought to colonize Africa to exploit its rich natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, rubber, palm oil, and coffee, and establish captive consumer markets for their manufactured goods. They believed that controlling Africa would provide them with low-cost resources and eliminate competition from mass-produced goods. This desire for economic gain was one of the main motives behind nineteenth-century imperialism.