🔗 Share this article

The North London club has declared that its contentious sponsorship partnership with Visit Rwanda will come to an end in June of next year.

Background and Scrutiny

This deal, reportedly valued at around £10m per year, was initiated six years ago and has since been heavily criticized.

This criticism is due to the country's reported backing for the M23 militia in continuing hostilities in the eastern part of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Months ago, Arsenal faced allegations of committing a disrespectful act to the authorities in Congo by not arranging a meeting with Congolese diplomat Thérèse Wagner to address the sponsorship.

Deal Composition and Aims

Visit Rwanda functions as a branch of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a government department.

There is broad consensus that Arsenal entered into and maintained this partnership primarily to expand their following across the continent.

Nevertheless, the arrangement has now concluded after both parties “jointly decided” to part ways.

“Jointly, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have surpassed the initial objectives of the partnership – promoting conservation and responsible tourism, encouraging numerous followers to visit the nation, and building a solid groundwork for travel industry expansion,” read an official Arsenal statement.

The statement continued that the partnership has also assisted Rwanda's goal of becoming an international sporting hub in Africa and stage additional international competitions while delivering local football projects that have supported many aspiring footballers and coaches develop their skills and promote increased engagement in sport across the country.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's top executive, characterized the deal as a “important voyage” and asserted it had been “propelling” the club's ambitions.

But that is not how a portion of the Gunners' supporters, with the activist organization Arsenal Peace Advocates demonstrating outside the North London venue during the first semi-final encounter in Europe's premier competition against Paris Saint-Germain in the end of April.

Protesters displayed a banner that read “Terminate the Visit Rwanda Partnership” and distributed armbands to cover up the Visit Rwanda logo on uniforms.

Industry Perspective and Fellow Clubs

During that period, Paris Saint-Germain renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda until 2028.

At the same time, the Spanish club entered a new agreement for the same period that has led to the logo being carried on the La Liga side's men's and women's shirts.