Radio Congo Belge was established in Léopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa) as a means of broadcasting news and propaganda to the white population of the Congo and German-occupied Belgium in World War II.
It played an important role in providing Congolese musicians with access to foreign musical influences.
It was particularly influential in introducing Afro-Cuban music into the Congo through groups such as Septeto Habanero and Trio Matamoros.
[1] The station has also been described as an "important promotional outlet for local music" which allowed Congolese bands and recording studios to emerge.
[2] After the independence of Congo-Léopoldville in 1960, the station was renamed Radiodiffusion Congolaise ("Congolese Radio Broadcasting").