Central Africa

Bronze Age

It is believed that the Bantu Expansion started in 2000 BC and ended in the first century AD. The Bantu-speaking Group spread from the original nucleaus in West-Central Africa to Central, Eastern and Southern Africa.

Early Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages saw the continued expansion of Bantu-speaking communities and the rise of early centralized polities. In the Congo Basin, societies developed advanced agricultural systems to support growing populations.

The first known political entity to control territories in this region was probably the Kanem Empire.

High Middle Ages

During the High Middle Ages, centralized kingdoms began to emerge in Central Africa.

Late Middle Ages

Coastal trade with merchants from North Africa and the Sahel increased, integrating Central Africa into broader economic networks.

The Kingdom of Kongo, which would later become one of the most powerful and influential states in the region, likely began forming during this period.

The arrival of European explorers along the Atlantic coast in the late 15th century marked the beginning of a new era. The Portuguese established contact with the Kongo Kingdom, leading to cultural exchanges and trade, particularly in ivory and slaves.

Inland, other polities such as the Luba and Lunda kingdoms began to rise, setting the stage for further state-building in the region.

Early modern period

The early modern period was marked by the expansion of European influence and the intensification of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Kingdom of Kongo became a key player in this trade, exchanging enslaved people for European goods such as firearms and textiles. However, this relationship led to internal conflicts and social upheaval.

French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Period (1789-1815)

The French Revolution and Napoleonic wars had limited direct impact on Central Africa.

However, this period saw the establishment of a high amount of local politie.

19th Century

The 19th century was transformative for Central Africa, as the region became a focal point of European colonial ambitions during the Scramble for Africa. Belgian King Leopold II claimed the Congo Free State as his personal possession, exploiting its resources and population with brutal methods.

In the interior, resistance to European encroachment persisted, with states like the Kuba Kingdom maintaining autonomy for much of the century. However, the imposition of colonial rule disrupted traditional governance, economies, and societies.

From 1900 to the End of World War II

Central Africa was fully colonized during this period, with Belgium, France, and Portugal dominating the region. The Congo Free State transitioned to Belgian colonial rule in 1908, but exploitation and forced labor continued.

During World War I, all the German possession in the region were occupied by French and British forces.

Notably, several battles between Free Franche and Vichy France tookplace in the area during World War II, like the Battle oof Gabon (1940).

Cold War Period

The Cold War era was defined by decolonization and post-independence challenges. Most Central African nations gained independence in the 1960s.

Civil wars and authoritarian regimes plagued Central Africa, with conflicts often fueled by Cold War rivalries and the region’s vast mineral wealth. Countries like Angola and Chad became battlegrounds for proxy wars, while others struggled with internal conflicts and economic challenges.

The independence of Congo resulted in a series of wars, the Congo Conflicts.

Post-Cold War Period (1990-2010)

The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 and subsequent conflicts in the DRC led to massive displacement and regional instability. The First and Second Congo Wars involved multiple neighboring nations and became some of the deadliest conflicts in modern history.

2010s and 2020s

Central Africa in the 2010s and 2020s remains a region of contrasts. While some countries, like Angola and Gabon, have seen economic growth driven by oil and mining, others, such as the CAR and DRC, continue to face conflict and political instability. Efforts to combat armed groups, improve governance, and promote sustainable development have had mixed results.