🔗 Share this article

The North London club has officially announced that its much-debated sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda will expire in June of next year.

Context and Criticism

The partnership, estimated to cost around £10 million annually, was first established and has since faced significant scrutiny.

Such scrutiny stems from the country's reported backing for the M23 forces in ongoing conflicts in the eastern region of the bordering Congo.

In February, Arsenal was accused of issuing a severe rebuff to the Congolese government by declining to meet with Congolese diplomat Thérèse Wagner to talk about the deal.

Partnership Structure and Objectives

Visit Rwanda functions as an arm of the Rwanda's development authority, which is a government department.

Many speculate that Arsenal committed to and maintained this partnership mainly to grow their fanbase in Africa.

However, the partnership has now terminated after both parties “collectively determined” to part ways.

“Jointly, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have exceeded the original goals of the partnership – advocating preservation and eco-friendly travel, inspiring millions of supporters to explore Rwanda, and establishing a durable base for travel industry expansion,” declared an Gunners' release.

The announcement added that the partnership has also aided Rwanda's objective to emerge as an international sporting hub in Africa and host more global sporting events while implementing grassroots football initiatives that have supported many aspiring footballers and coaches enhance their abilities and encourage more involvement in athletics nationwide.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's chief executive officer, portrayed the arrangement as a “significant journey” and asserted it had been “driving forward” the club's goals.

But that is not how a portion of the Gunners' supporters, with the activist organization Gunners for Peace staging protests outside the North London venue during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG in the end of April.

Demonstrators showed a banner that read “End the Rwanda Deal” and handed out sleeves to cover up the Rwanda branding on kits.

Industry Perspective and Fellow Clubs

Around that time, PSG extended their sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda for several more years.

At the same time, the Madrid-based team inked a recent contract for the identical duration that has caused the logo being carried on the Spanish club's men's and women's shirts.