July 31 – FC Barcelona has inked a four-year partnership with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that will see the La Liga giants promote the African nation as a tourist and cultural destination.
Under the agreement, valued at $46.37 million, all of Barça’s professional teams will wear the slogan “R.D. Congo – Cœur d’Afrique” (Heart of Africa) on the back of their training kits through the 2028–29 season. The DRC becomes an “Official Empowerment Partner for Sports and Culture” as part of the deal, with the partnership set to span both sporting promotion and grassroots development.
According to the contract, the DRC will pay Barça between $11.5 million and $13.2 million annually over the four-year term.
The partnership also includes a Barça Academy-led youth programme, with training camps and football clinics for children in the DRC — parts of which have been dogged by armed conflict for months. The club launched an Academy in Lagos, Nigeria last year.
The war-torn Congo will also have a physical presence at the club’s redeveloped Espai Barça, where the “House of the DRC” will be set up at the future Spotify Camp Nou complex, creating a permanent space dedicated to cultural and promotional exchange.
The deal follows similar partnerships made by the DRC with AC Milan and Monaco.
For Barcelona, still navigating its financial rebuild, the deal offers commercial revenue — and a foothold in one of Africa’s largest and youngest markets.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1754141721labto1754141721ofdlr1754141721owedi1754141721sni@g1754141721niwe.1754141721yrrah1754141721