The African country that was never colonized by a European power is Ethiopia. Ethiopia successfully maintained its sovereignty throughout the European colonization of Africa, notably during the late 19th century. The Battle of Adwa in 1896 was a crucial victory for Ethiopia, as it defeated the Italian forces attempting to invade and colonize the country. This victory allowed Ethiopia to remain independent, and it became a symbol of African resistance against colonialism. Only a brief period of Italian occupation occurred from 1936 to 1941, but Ethiopia is largely recognized for its historic continuity and resilience against colonization.