In the 12th century, Timbuktu was at the crossroads of the four most important caravan paths supplying the Arab world, which then spanned from the Middle East all the way to Spain. The accumulation of wealth made it one of the wealthiest places on earth at the time. This allowed one of the first universities in the history of humankind to be established– the celebrated Islamic university called the Sankore, where 20,000 students studied law, medicine, rhetoric, etc.

Is this another proof that Africa's development superceded most parts of world prior to the trans Atlantic slave trade?

Most of the manuscripts from this university are currently being preserved in Sokoto, Nigeria - are they being studied or just kept in boxes for prosperity? and how many West African citizens learnt of this fact and of the contents of the manuscripts whilst in school?

i thot the first university was in France?

Eastcoast:

i thot the first university was in France?

Maybe, but the post clearly states 'one of the first'. Built in 989 AD.