The most effective option that could have prevented some of the problems created in Africa as a result of the Berlin Conference is:
The borders could have been created based on the locations of African societies.
This would mean taking into account the ethnic, cultural, and social structures that existed prior to colonization, which could have helped to minimize conflict and foster more stable governance in the newly drawn territories. The other options suggest methods that do not consider the existing societal frameworks or could further complicate the already challenging dynamics in the region.