Arsenal is ending its eight-year partnership with Visit Rwanda.
Arsenal has announced it will end its partnership with Visit Rwanda at the end of the season, after eight years of collaboration. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Visit Rwanda partnership, signed in 2018, had been criticised by fans and human rights groups due to allegations of Rwanda’s support for the M23 militia in the DRC. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis.
Arsenal fans had protested against the partnership, with some groups launching a campaign to scrap the deal. The club’s LGBTQ+ group, Gay Gooners, also welcomed the decision, citing concerns over Rwanda’s human rights record.
In a statement, Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick thanked Visit Rwanda for their partnership, saying it had helped raise awareness of Rwanda’s tourism and conservation efforts. Visit Rwanda will remain a partner for the remainder of the season.
Rwanda still has partnerships with other European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid. The country has seen significant tourism growth since the partnership began, with 1.3 million visitor arrivals in 2024.
