The province takes its name from the Kwango River, a tributary of the Kasai River that defines part of the international boundary between the DRC and Angola.
Kwango previously existed as a province from 1962 to 1966.
Presidents (from 1965, governors)
23 September 1962 – 11 November 1962 Albert Delvaux (fl. 1918)
November 1962 Emmanuel Mayamba
1962 – April 1963 Alphonse Pashi
August 1963 – April 1964 Pierre Masikita (1st time)
April 1964 – 30 September 1964 Belunda Kavunzu
30 September 1964 –24 August 1965 Joseph Kulumba
24 August 1965 – 25 April 1966 Pierre Masikita (2nd time)
From 1966 to 2015, Kwango was administered as a district as part of Bandundu Province. Kwango returned to full provincial status with its capital of Kenge on 18 July 2015.[5]