It can be argued that outside cultures have both enriched and detracted from Africa. During pre-colonial times, when trade was rising, many middle-eastern cultures shared their cultures/customs and blended with North and West African coastal societies, spreading innovations and creating unique multicultural cities with new languages and technologies. However, colonial/imperial powers such as Britain, France, the Americas, and other European countries enslaved Africans, destroyed or stole African culture, ruined local ways of life, and imposed harsh, discriminatory policies (such as the South African Apartheid)
