Anyone in Africa on YA? I need HELP!!!!?

I am taking an African Studies class this semester (university level). I have to write a research paper on a issue or event concerning Africa before the 16th century. i am also taking the second part of this class(trying to graduate) and have to write another paper. The only difference is it has to be after the 16th century.
I have done many research papers and I am not looking for the easy way out. I have found a lot of information but everything that i find others are writing on. I want to write on something that not a lot of people will chose. Also, i want to write on something real. I live in the USA so, the issues and events I know about are the ones on the news or I have read about.
I thought If I could ask someone from Africa then I would get first hand knowledge of issues and events.
80% of my class is writing on AIDS or the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Please help me with some topics.
1. before 16th century
2. after 16th century

i'm not sure about if that what you exactly wanted!!

1. before the 16th century :
you could search about the slave trade in africa, egyptian culture and development, religion in africa, the spread of islam & christian religions in africa.

2. after 16th century:
how the slave trade affected africa and other countries
African wars, economic sitiuations in Africa.

there are lots of countries which had great event and issues ( e.g. Egypt, Ghana, Benin, etc......)

also, country name changes and reasons of changes.
2. the rapid increase in the african population.
3.the spread of different religions in africa before and after the 16th CE.

wish that helped
Good Luck

The Contemporary Africa Database - prominent Africans, African organizations, and dates in the African calendar.
http://africadatabase.org/

The Peace Corps/Peace Building
http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/g...

Sierra Leone in Western Africa is one of the poorest in the world, despite many diamond mines.
http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/g...

I hope this gives you a few ideas. Good luck with your paper! :)