Chapters 1 to 12 cover the corridor of the Nile, Egypt and Nubia. Chapters 13 to 16 relate to the Ethiopian highlands. Chapters 17 to 20 describe the part of Africa later called the Magrhib and its Saharan hinterland.

Africa from the twelfth to the sixteenth century -- v.5. Africa from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century -- v.6. The nineteenth century until the 1880s -- v.7. Africa under foreign domination 1880-1935 -- v.8. Africa since 1935.