German explorer Hermann Wissmann established a station in the area around present-day Kananga, on the left bank of the Lulua.

However, due to multiple political setbacks, and particularly the secession attempt by Albert Kalonji and his South Kasai, this decision was never implemented.

Kananga (as Luluabourg) was the site of the drafting of the first Congolese-written constitution for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1964.

In 1966, during an Africanization campaign, Mobutu Sese Seko renamed a number of cities and towns that bore European names.

Under the 2006 constitution, the Democratic republic of the Congo was divided in 25 provinces, and one national Capital city (Kinshasa).