Makanza was formerly known as Bangala Station and then as Nouvelle-Anvers / Nieuw-Antwerpen (New Antwerp).

The town was one of the main stages of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition.

Their language, Lingala, eventually merged with the "Lobangi" lingua franca of the river.

From 1884 onwards, the city played an important role in the development of the Force Publique (the colonial army).

This led to Lingala becoming the working language of the army.