Abstract <p>Modern data on the formation of the mineral composition, geochemical and isotope-geochemical features of sediments from large rivers in Africa (Zambezi, Nile, Congo), as well as U–Pb isotope ages of detrital zircon populations in sands, obtained during complex long-term studies by Prof. E. Garzanti (Universita’ Di Milano-Bicocca, Italy) and his colleagues are considered. Ideas about the influence of chemical weathering on the composition of both silts and sands of the named large rivers are briefly summarized. The influence of river segmentation on the composition of the transported aluminosiliciclastics is discussed. The key points of the research results presented in the overview are outlined for specialists studying ancient sedimentary sequences.</p>