Latest news with #DidierBudimbu
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Barcelona soccer club inks DRC sponsorship deal to promote tourism
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to pay more than €40m (R828.5m) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel. This is according to a contract seen by Reuters on Thursday. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates a logo branding the war-hit central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract said. The DRC will pay the club between €10m and €11.5m (R207m and R238.2m) annually over the next four seasons, it said. Details of the deal between the DRC and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with the DRC without disclosing the amounts. DRC sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth €1.6m (R33.1m) per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A DRC government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth €14m (R290m) per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, DRC tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy "to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent" by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. The DRC's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February DRC foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda". The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern DRC's biggest city, Goma, as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda has denied backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of UN experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral rich territory.
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
DR Congo Signs €40M Tourism Deal with FC Barcelona
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Barcelona set to secure major sponsorship deal worth €40 million
FC Barcelona players returned to training this week, but activity behind the scenes at the club has never stopped. Club executives have been working intensely to secure new revenue streams to address the current financial challenges, with a clear objective: to return to La Liga's 1:1 rule and regain full freedom to operate in the transfer market. Sponsorship agreement in sight with Congo Now, SPORT reports that Barcelona are closing in on finalising a sponsorship agreement worth €40 million with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Over the past few months, several meetings have taken place with potential sponsors to evaluate the feasibility of different commercial agreements. Many of these discussions have been ruled out for various reasons. However, the deal with the Republic of the Congo has progressed well and is entering the final stages of negotiations. Another sponsorship deal on the horizon. (Photo by) The deal would see Barcelona include the slogan 'RDC, coeur de l'Afrique' (translates to DRC, the heart of Africa) on one of the club's kits. On 19 May, the Congolese Minister of Sports and Leisure, Didier Budimbu, visited Barcelona and held a meeting with senior club executives. Accompanied by his team, he also toured the Ciutat Esportiva facilities and personally presented the project, which was received with interest by the Barcelona board. The agreement is expected to bring approximately €40 million into the club's finances. According to the report, negotiations are in an advanced stage, and an official announcement could be made as early as next week, before the start of the pre-season tour. The revenue will be a big boost for the La Liga champions as they aim to return to the 1:1 Fair Play rule, which will allow them to operate with greater freedom in the market.
Business Insider
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Democratic Republic of Congo to pay Barcelona over €40 million for tourism promotion
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered into a sponsorship agreement worth over €40 million ($46.4 million) with Spanish football club FC Barcelona. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed on a €40 million sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona to promote tourism. The four-year campaign will showcase the slogan 'The Heart of Africa' on the team's training and warm-up jerseys. The campaign involves additional branding in club publications and advertisements. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered into a sponsorship agreement worth over €40 million ($46.4 million) with Spanish football club FC Barcelona, aiming to promote the country as a tourist destination despite ongoing internal conflict. The four-year deal, dated June 29, will see the slogan "The Heart of Africa" featured on the backs of FC Barcelona's men's and women's training and warm-up jerseys, according to a report by Reuters. The DRC-branded logo will also appear in club advertisements, the annual report, and the club magazine. A multimillion-euro gamble The sponsorship, which has not yet been officially announced, will cost the Congolese government between €10 million and €11.5 million annually. It forms part of a broader strategy to rebrand the conflict-hit Central African nation as a hub for tourism and investment. This deal follows similar, undisclosed agreements with European clubs AS Monaco and AC Milan. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu said the Monaco contract is worth €1.6 million per season, while a government source said the AC Milan deal is valued at €14 million annually. In June, Tourism Minister Didier M'Pambia described the partnerships as a move to 'reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent.' The deal has sparked discussion, given the DRC government's vocal criticism earlier this year of other African tourism campaigns. In February, Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner called on Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to sever ties with Rwanda's 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorships, which she described as 'blood-stained' amid rising regional tensions.
