What led European powers to divide and control the lands and peoples of Africa?

When it came to the colonization of Africa, various factors took place including guns, germs and steel that played a role in the asserted dominance of the European powers. The Europeans, with the invention of steel and use of guns, were able to overpower the simple knives and tools of the Africans. Europeans began to compete over the conquering of land, because it showed their power and which country had more nationalism.