Which resource was NOT typically sought after by European powers in Africa?

European powers during the colonial period were primarily focused on exploiting Africa for its rich natural resources, which included diamonds, gold, and rubber, among others. Diamonds and gold were particularly coveted due to their immense value and demand in European markets, which led to aggressive exploration and extraction activities. Rubber became increasingly important in the late 19th century with the rise of industrialization, particularly for the production of tires and other goods.

Cotton, while also an important resource both globally and especially in the context of American and later global commerce, was not typically a primary focus of European colonial ambitions in Africa during the height of imperialism. Instead, regions such as Egypt were more notable for their cotton production, which was largely linked to their agricultural practices rather than a direct target for European colonial interests centered around resource extraction in Africa.

Thus, the correct answer identifies cotton as the resource that was not typically sought after by European powers in Africa compared to the other options, which were central to the imperial economic motivations.