The BOMACAPITALE project (2024–2028) is a collaborative initiative by the Université Président Kasa-Vubu (UKV) in Boma, the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN), and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA). It aims to promote the history and heritage of Boma, a city in Lower Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as a means of fostering sustainable and inclusive development.

Boma has a rich history dating back to at least the 16th century. The city was once an important port for the transatlantic slave trade and then for free trade in the decades before colonisation. After colonial occupation, Boma became the capital of the Congo Free State and later the Belgian Congo. In recent decades, Boma has faced economic decline. Despite this evolution, the city's historical heritage, consisting of numerous buildings and sites, remains of great importance, but it is insufficiently explored and not easily accessible to local communities.

BOMACAPITALE seeks to address these challenges through new historical research and knowledge dissemination, while strengthening local capacity. The project focuses on training Congolese students and researchers in history and museology, with grants supporting 8 master’s and 2 doctoral students. Key activities include exhibitions in Boma, audiovisual productions, and a public conference, aimed at engaging diverse audiences and stimulating heritage appreciation.

The RMCA provides access to a rich database of archival materials, including objects, photographs, and maps related to Boma. Local networks of stakeholders, such as the Boma National Museum and ISP-Boma, are actively involved in project activities. Funded by Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD), the initiative aligns with the goal of leveraging culture and heritage as drivers of empowerment and development.

By revitalizing Boma’s history and heritage, BOMACAPITALE aspires to create a renewed sense of identity and memory, fostering opportunities for education, tourism, and investment, while making the city and its hinterland more vibrant and dynamic.