Latest news with #VisitRwanda
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
DR Congo Signs €40M Tourism Deal with FC Barcelona
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo tourism ministry
KINSHASA (Reuters) -Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda". The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercisedcommand and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) (Reporting by Stanis Bujakera; Writing by Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Toby Davis)
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ruiz and Hakimi on target as PSG muzzle Arsenal to reach Champions League final
Ruiz and Hakimi on target as PSG muzzle Arsenal to reach Champions League final Achraf Hakimi (left) and Fabian Ruiz (right) scored Paris Saint-Germain's goals in the 2-1 win over Arsenal that took the side into the final of the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain moved into the 2025 Champions League final against Inter Milan following a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday night. Leading 1-0 from the first leg in north London on 29 April, PSG extended their aggregate advantage to 2-0 after 27 minutes of the second leg at the Parc des Princes. Spain international Fabian Ruiz thrashed home from the edge of the penalty area to calm the nerves of the hosts. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Midway through the second-half Vitinha fluffed a penalty that would have given PSG a 3-0 aggregate lead. But minutes after his weak kick, substitute Ousmane Dembélé set up Achraf Hakimi for the strike that brought an explosion of joy from the PSG faithful. As the home fans sang about their impending excursion to the final in Munich on 31 May, Mikel Merino outmuscled PSG skipper Marquinhos on the left wing and drove towards the PSG penalty area. His cross was deflected into the path of Bukayo Saka who rounded the PSG goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma to halve the deficit on the night after 76 minutes. Arsenal pushed for the goals to force extra-time but PSG held firm to seal a 3-1 aggregate success and second trip to the final in five years. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'I said from the first day that our goal was to work hard enough to be in a position to make history and that remains our goal,' said PSG boss Luis Enrique. Progress 'We believe in our coach and we believe in our talented, young, hungry players," PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi told CBS Sports. "PSG have gone through and we're absolutely gutted but this doesn't define us for sure.' Read more on RFI English Read also: PSG signs new Visit Rwanda deal despite backlash over DRC links PSG boss Enrique hails side's progress since Champions League upset at Arsenal Champions League: Lille fluff their lines as Villa set up PSG clash
Business Insider
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Rwanda becomes first African sponsor for football giants, Atlético Madrid
The 'Visit Rwanda' campaign has secured a new partnership with Spanish football giants Atlético Madrid, expanding its growing roster of elite football club sponsors. Rwanda's 'Visit Rwanda' campaign partners with Atlético Madrid, adding to its sponsorship deals with Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich The deal includes a technical development component for young Rwandan players and coaches Critics have raised concerns about the government prioritizing sponsorships over pressing domestic concerns This latest three-year sponsorship agreement makes Atlético Madrid the fourth major European club to feature Rwanda's tourism branding, following similar deals with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bayern Munich. As part of the partnership, the "Visit Rwanda" logo will appear on the kits of both Atlético Madrid's men's and women's teams beginning next season. The move is part of Rwanda's strategic push to market itself as a premier global tourism and investment destination through high-profile sports marketing. Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said: 'Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase Rwanda as an attractive destination for investors, a unique experience for global travelers, and a platform for nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for young Africans through sport. ' Óscar Mayo, Atlético de Madrid's General Director of Revenue and Operations, emphasized: ' Visit Rwanda's great importance as a partner in our club's goal of international expansion. We are always looking for partners with global solvency, linked to football and Visit Rwanda is an example of this. It is a country in constant growth and I am convinced that we will both benefit from this partnership.' The deal also includes a technical development component that will grant young Rwandan players and coaches access to Atlético Madrid's world-class training expertise. Protests mount over 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorships While the Rwandan government celebrates this milestone, critics—including some human rights organizations—have questioned the country's priorities, arguing that high-profile sponsorships come at the expense of pressing domestic concerns such as governance, civil liberties, and press freedom. This new partnership comes amid ongoing protests from Arsenal supporters, who have criticized the club's association with Rwanda due to the country's alleged involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the BBC, Arsenal's management has declined to comment on the activities of a new rights group within the club - the Gunners for Peace campaign, which is pressuring the club to drop its sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda. The Congolese government also protested the sponsorship deals, urging clubs like Arsenal to cancel their partnerships with Visit Rwanda. This call to action stems from allegations of Rwanda's involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the Congolese government strongly condemns. A Rwanda government spokesperson defended their sports partnerships, saying they help boost the country's economy.
