Ahmad Alimi

Ahmad Alimi
Mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
Reign1791–1808
PredecessorAli IV Kalirgima
SuccessorDunama IX Lefiami
Diedc. 1808
SpouseLefiya
IssueDunama IX Lefiami
Ibrahim IV Lefiami
DynastySayfawa dynasty
FatherAli IV Kalirgima
MotherAmina

Ahmad (Aḥmad bin ʿAlī), called Ahmad Alimi, was the mai (ruler) of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in 1791–1808. Ahmad was a pious, learned, and compassionate ruler, though not an experienced military man. Late in his reign, Ahmad proved unable to resist an invasion of the empire by the Fulani during the Fula jihads, culminating in the loss of Ngazargamu, the imperial capital. In the aftermath of Ngazargamu's fall, Ahmad abdicated in favor of his son Dunama IX Lefiami and died a few months later.