Answer:
They did benefit, though only the powerful nations could really have them.
Explanation:
There are a few reasons why the big players in Europe wanted or needed colonies. One big reason was resources. Raw materials where needed for their factories to make guns, clothes, textiles, etc etc... When you have a large and growing population your going to need those extra resources for them and the resources to defend your nation. Another reason would most likely be to "civilize and Christianize" the Africans who they seen as under-developed.
