GHENT-CONGOLESE COTTON RELATIONS (1885-1960): AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF COMPANIES AND ENTREPRENEURS

In 2022, one of the conclusions of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into Belgium's colonial past was that there is hardly any research into economic links between Belgium and its colonies. Moreover, the international structures of Belgian companies have rarely been subjected to proper historical analysis. A study of Ghent-Congolese cotton relations is ideally suited to address these two shortcomings in historiography. What were the connections between Ghent companies and Africa? How important were the intercontinental ties for the Ghent and Congolese textile sectors? Which companies and people were involved in those trade relationships? By trying to formulate an answer to these questions, this article aims to contribute, on the one hand, to the debate about colonial histories and legacies, and on the other hand, to an innovative view of Belgian business history.