After criticising Rwanda’s partnership with Arsenal, DRC signs deal with AC Milan

The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a partnership deal with Italian football giants AC Milan.

The contract, which Congolese leaders describe as ‘strategic,’ aims to ‘strengthen the attractiveness, visibility and influence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.’ According to Congolese Minister of Tourism Didier M'pambia, the agreement, which was signed on June 19, 2025, in Rome, covers various areas and extends beyond the sporting arena.

“This is an ambitious collaboration that aims to support the socio-economic development of the DRC through several concrete actions,”M'pambia said. AC Milan was represented by Paolo Scaroni, chairman of the club and Fondazione Milan, the public charity associated with the club.

Among the areas covered by the agreement are: promoting Congolese tourism internationally, attracting new investment, promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the DRC, renovating a sports facility for young people, building a school in Boma (western DRC) in partnership with Mama Sofia Foundation which is based in the country, and creating the first AC Milan Academy in the DRC to train young talent.

For Congolese leaders, it is also about building a strong sports economy.

“The partnership with AC Milan marks a springboard for young people and a renewed commitment to our sport. With our exceptional pool of sporting talent and human capital, we are committed to building a strong sports economy that generates socio-economic opportunities,” Congolese Minister of Sport Didier Budimbu observed.

“We will develop our sports diplomacy and jointly revitalise our ecosystems to fly the flag for our nation. The future of the DRC is being built with our people, our talents and concrete actions. For a more prosperous future," he added.

Mr Budimbu has also signed a similar agreement in principle with French club AS Monaco. The deal has sparked controversy, especially as the sports sector in the DRC is sorely lacking in funds. The local football league has been marred with suspensions, stoppages and unfinished seasons due to a lack of adequate funding. The DRC has also sought to be AS Monaco’s shirt sponsor in a deal worth €4.8 million over three years to increase DRC’s international visibility.

The agreements are similar to ‘Visit Rwanda’ deal between Rwanda and English Premier League giants Arsenal. Rwanda also has a similar agreement with German giants Bayern Munich, and French giants PSG. In February, the Democratic Republic of Congo criticized Arsenal's sponsorship deal with Rwanda, calling it "bloodstained". DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

Sources indicate that the deal with AC Milan is worth about €14 million a year for three years.

“This agreement with AC Milan is in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an emerging power. Thanks to this collaboration, the Democratic Republic of Congo is establishing a direct link with the Lombardy region, one of the most dynamic in Europe, which strengthens our attractiveness, visibility and influence,” DRC’s Minister for Tourism Didier M'pambia said.

“The visibility this brings to the DRC is a welcome bonus, but not the end goal. Over the next three seasons, the concrete actions taken for our football will demonstrate the relevance of these partnerships, beyond the advertising aspect on the jerseys."

For his part, Paolo Scaroni emphasised that this agreement marks the club's commitment to an innovative cooperation process with the DRC, in line with the Italian government's vision and the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa.

A delegation from AC Milan, led by its president Scaroni, is expected in Kinshasa for the launch of the projects.

In 2018, Rwanda signed a $12 million per year contract with Arsenal FC to promote tourism in Rwanda. Rwanda signed a similar contract with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

At the beginning of February this year, Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba wrote to Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain asking them to end their ‘blood-tainted’ partnership with Visit Rwanda. The letter also pointed out that ‘Visit Rwanda’ agreements ‘could be financed by the illegal exploitation of blood minerals from eastern DRC.