Rwanda is standing firm against recent actions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that threaten its sports partnerships. On February 20, 2025, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) condemned DRC’s attempts to disrupt its collaboration with major international sports teams like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
These partnerships are important to Rwanda’s growth. They help boost the economy, tourism, and the well-being of people in Rwanda and across Africa.
“Our partnerships with global sports organizations are key to our progress. They help create new opportunities, promote peace, and strengthen the economy,” the statement from RDB said.
Rwanda believes that sports bring people together. Through collaborations with world-renowned teams, the country is growing as a hub for international sports and sports tourism. These efforts help discover local talent, improve tourism, and build sports infrastructure, creating jobs in the process.
The RDB also said that trying to turn these partnerships into political issues is a mistake. It would harm the real benefits that come from these collaborations, which improve lives and bring nations closer.
The “Visit Rwanda” campaign is at the heart of these partnerships. The campaign shows Rwanda’s commitment to peace, security, and development. The RDB emphasized that breaking this partnership would not help solve the deeper problems in eastern DRC.
Rwanda reminded the world that the security challenges along its border with DRC stem from internal issues in the DRC, such as poor governance and ethnic violence. It emphasized that the DRC has failed to protect its citizens, which has led to more suffering.
Rwanda rejected false claims that it is stealing minerals from DRC, calling these allegations an attempt to distract from DRC’s own issues with corruption and mismanagement.
The RDB reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to peaceful dialogue with the DRC and other neighbors to address these challenges. The country’s progress is based on security, good governance, and stability, making Rwanda a top destination for tourists and business.
Rwanda’s vision for the future is one of peace and prosperity. It continues to focus on strengthening partnerships that help improve lives across Africa, especially through sports, which unite people and promote economic growth.
Rwanda firmly believes that these efforts will help bring about positive change in the region, despite attempts to disrupt them.
