Italians attempted to have Ethiopia as their share of Africa. They invaded in 1893 but were defeated by the Ethiopians to become the first European losers in a colonial war.Fast-forward to the 1930s, however, when Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini (successfully) invaded and conquered Ethiopia, and held onto it until the end of World War II.  So technically, Ethiopia was invaded and colonized, albeit not for very long at all.