Look at it this way. Could we invade and conquer most African countries, loot the place and turn a profit?
Of course not. You don’t get rich looting places that are dirt poor. In fact, most African countries usually can’t afford dirt.
Many Africans were actually quite prosperous in the 16th and 17th centuries. They thrived on the export trade.
Of course, they were exporting Africans.
>>>Could we invade and conquer most African countries, loot the place and turn a profit?
Don’t forget Africa was being mined for the diamonds. The human trafficking and slave labor was still a huge issue (and profitable).