Grace Ashiru
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially entered into its third partnership with a European football club, securing a four-season agreement with FC Barcelona beginning this year. The deal was announced by the Catalan club on July 30, 2025, and follows two earlier contracts: a three-season agreement with AS Monaco signed in June 2025, set to commence in the 2025–2026 season, and a previous three-year partnership with AC Milan formalized in October 2024, which will begin in 2026.
Although the details of these contracts have not been publicly disclosed, international media estimates place the DRC’s total financial commitments at €89.8 million—equivalent to over $100 million at current exchange rates.
Of that amount, the DRC is reported to have pledged €43 million to FC Barcelona. According to Jeune Afrique, €10 million has already been paid for the 2025–2026 season, with annual payments increasing by €500,000 to reach €11.5 million in the 2028–2029 season. Sources indicate that the agreement with AS Monaco involves annual payments of approximately €1.6 million. As for the AC Milan partnership, Le Monde reports a value of €14 million per season, totaling €42 million across the three-year duration.
These high-profile deals have drawn criticism within the DRC, with many questioning the wisdom of investing abroad while domestic football suffers from decaying infrastructure. On social media, a significant number of citizens have expressed the view that such funds would be more appropriately allocated to essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare.
In response, government officials assert that these partnerships are components of a wider strategic communication initiative. Designed to enhance the DRC’s soft power, the agreements aim to improve the country’s international image amidst ongoing conflict in the eastern region, while also attracting foreign investors and tourists. The AC Milan agreement—signed by Tourism Minister Didier M’Pambia Musanga—explicitly supports this goal, targeting a rise in tourism’s contribution to GDP from 5% to 10%, in a bid to emulate the tourism growth seen in Tanzania.
In addition to international promotion, the agreements also contain provisions for local sports development. The FC Barcelona partnership encompasses various athletic disciplines—including football, basketball, handball, futsal, and roller hockey—through the Barça Academy and the Barça Innovation Hub. Meanwhile, the AC Milan agreement includes plans to establish a football academy in Boma, in collaboration with the Mama Sofia Foundation.
Want to get your brand in front of Africa’s most engaged business audience?
Whether you’re in tech, finance, energy, logistics, or beyond — we’ve got you covered.
👉 Advertise with us.
