Ilebo, formerly known as Port-Francqui, is a town in Kasai province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, lying at the highest navigable point of the Kasaï River.

It flourished in the 19th century and was, prior to the arrival of the Belgians, the largest settlement in the Central Congo with an estimated population of 5000 people.

Ilebo was connected to other settlements via the river and several sand roads that were passable by porters.

The city rapidly grew under the Belgian colonial administration, especially after the railway line to Lubumbashi was opened.

[1] In September 2007 an agreement was signed for China to fund the construction of a railway from Ilebo to Kinshasa.