Kazembe III

Kazembe III established control over the trade routes connecting the Lunda heartland to the Swahili coast and Portuguese territories. He taxed caravans trading ivory, copper, and slaves, making the Kazembe kingdom a major commercial hub in central Africa.

Kazembe III led a military campaign against the Lunda Empire to assert independence from the Mwata Yamvo's authority. The conflict resulted in a stalemate, but Kazembe successfully maintained his kingdom's autonomy and control over eastern trade networks.