🔗 Share this article

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

Origins and Examination

This deal, reportedly valued at around £10m per year, was first established and has since been heavily criticized.

The backlash is due to Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 militia in persistent fighting in the eastern areas of the adjacent DRC.

Months ago, Arsenal faced allegations of delivering an "outrageous" snub to the government of the DRC by declining to meet with Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner to discuss the partnership.

Agreement Framework and Goals

Visit Rwanda serves as an arm of the Rwanda's development authority, which is a state institution.

It is widely believed that Arsenal signed and maintained this partnership chiefly to increase their fanbase in Africa.

However, the arrangement has now concluded after both parties “jointly decided” to go their separate ways.

“Jointly, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have surpassed the initial objectives of the partnership – promoting conservation and responsible tourism, inspiring millions of supporters to discover the country, and building a solid groundwork for tourism growth,” stated an club announcement.

The announcement added that the partnership has also assisted Rwanda's goal of becoming an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and stage additional international competitions while executing grassroots football initiatives that have supported many aspiring footballers and coaches develop their skills and inspire greater participation in sport across the country.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

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

Yet this view was contested by a segment of the club's followers, with the protest movement Gunners for Peace demonstrating outside the North London venue during the initial Champions League semi-final match against the French club in April's conclusion.

Activists unveiled a placard declaring “Drop Visit Rwanda” and provided wristbands to cover up the Visit Rwanda logo on jerseys.

Wider Landscape and Additional Teams

Around that time, the French champions renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda through 2028.

Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid inked a recent contract for the same period that has resulted in the emblem appearing on the Madrid-based team's men's and women's shirts.