Mansa Musa I of Mali was the 10th Mansa of Mali and is most famous for possibly being the richest man in history, mainly because Mali may have been the largest producer of gold in the world. This was to the extent where he is featured in the 1375 Catalan Atlas to represent Mali.

 

During his Hajj pilgrimage, it was reported that he caused mass inflation in Cairo from the influx of gold his caravan brought. It is also reported that on hearing of the fate of Cairo, he borrowed all the gold back on return.

 

However, Musa I was also invested in spreading Islam, art and scholarship in Western Africa. He brought many scholars and architects to Mali, making Timbuktu the new hub of Islamic scholarship. His architects also built the famous Djinguereber Mosque, which is still an active mosque to this day.