When did European powers divide central Africa into colonies?

European powers divided Central Africa into colonies primarily during the late 19th century, a process formalized at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This conference established rules for the colonization of Africa, leading to the rapid acquisition of territories by various European nations. By the early 20th century, much of Central Africa had been claimed by Belgium, France, Germany, and Britain, among others, resulting in significant political and social changes in the region.