The Age of Imperialism started in the 1870's and it ended around the 1914's. The European Areas (Germany, Britain, Portugal, etc.) wanted new land, raw materials, and excess goods. They began to look to Africa for those qualities and for the power they craved. The British Empire controlled much land and desired more. The French entered a phase called the Third Republic (after Napoleon The III) and this allowed them to expand and acquire new land. Later on Japan became apart of this. The Japanese soon took Korea and parts of Manchuria dealing a tremendous blow to the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905).
Map of Africa
Britain controlled South Africa, Rhodesia, Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and Zanzibar (and a few others). The French would being to control North Africa, taking over large amounts of land including Algeria. France would also add Tunisia, Morocco, and Tahiti. Germany expanded into Africa, colonizing Togoland, the Cameroons, and part of East Africa. Italy colonized Eritrea.