Premier League frontrunners Arsenal will end their sponsorship agreement with Rwanda once this season wraps up, according to an announcement from the Rwanda Development Board on Wednesday.
The “Visit Rwanda” deal, which began eight seasons ago, has faced intensifying criticism linked to escalating violence in the mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda.
Authorities in the DRC have repeatedly accused Rwanda of offering support and weapons to the M23 rebel group, which has seized vast territories since reigniting conflict in 2021.
The unrest has claimed countless lives and created a severe humanitarian crisis, although recent months have seen a ceasefire agreement and a peace framework signed by the DRC and M23.
In April, Arsenal fans voiced their displeasure over the sponsorship, which places the Visit Rwanda branding on the sleeves of Arsenal players’ shirts.
“Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have mutually agreed to bring their partnership to an end at the close of this season, concluding an eight-year collaboration that saw Visit Rwanda become Arsenal’s inaugural Official Sleeve Partner,” the Rwanda Development Board stated.
Despite the termination, Rwanda maintains ongoing partnerships with top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid.
