The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to pay over 40 million euros ($46.37 million) to Spanish football giant Barcelona.
A contract dated June 29, seen by Reuters, reveals the deal includes placing a “heart of Africa” tourism logo on training and warm-up jerseys for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The logo will also feature in Barcelona’s advertising, club magazine, and annual report, enhancing the visibility of the war-hit Central African nation. Congo will pay between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over four seasons, according to the contract’s terms.
The precise details of the Barcelona sponsorship have not been publicly disclosed. Last month, AS Monaco and AC Milan also signed sponsorship agreements with Congo without revealing financial terms.
Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu confirmed AS Monaco’s deal is worth 1.6 million euros per season. A government source said AC Milan’s contract is valued at 14 million euros per season.
Tourism minister Didier M’Pambia described the AC Milan deal as part of a government plan to reposition the DRC as a continental leader by promoting tourism and investment. Requests for comment from Congo’s tourism ministry and Barcelona went unanswered on Thursday.
Earlier this year, Congo’s foreign minister called on European clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and PSG to cut ties with Rwanda’s “blood-stained” tourism sponsorship.
This plea followed rebel advances in eastern Congo, a conflict with allegations of Rwandan support denied by Kigali.
A recent UN report suggests Rwanda exercised command over the M23 rebels, securing political and mineral gains in the region. The sponsorship deals come amid Congo’s efforts to reshape its international image despite ongoing regional conflicts.