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Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that its much-debated sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda will expire in June of next year.

Background and Scrutiny

The partnership, estimated to cost around £10m per year, was first established and has since faced significant scrutiny.

Such scrutiny is due to Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 rebel group in ongoing conflicts in the eastern part of the bordering Congo.

Earlier this year, Arsenal was accused of delivering an "outrageous" snub to the government of the DRC by failing to convene with the DRC's foreign minister to address the sponsorship.

Deal Composition and Aims

Visit Rwanda serves as a division of the the country's development agency, which is a state institution.

There is broad consensus that Arsenal signed and upheld this partnership primarily to expand their African supporter base.

Nevertheless, the deal has now ended after both parties “jointly decided” to end their collaboration.

“Jointly, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have surpassed the initial objectives of the partnership – advocating preservation and sustainable tourism, encouraging numerous followers to discover the country, and creating a lasting foundation for tourism growth,” declared an official Arsenal statement.

The statement continued that the partnership has also supported Rwanda's ambition to become an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and welcome more worldwide tournaments while executing local football projects that have helped hundreds of young players and coaches improve their techniques and promote increased engagement in sport across the country.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's top executive, portrayed the arrangement as a “major expedition” and asserted it had been “advancing” the club's goals.

Yet this view was contested by a portion of the Gunners' supporters, with the activist organization Gunners for Peace holding rallies outside the Emirates Stadium during the first semi-final encounter in Europe's premier competition against PSG in April's conclusion.

Activists unveiled a banner that read “Drop Visit Rwanda” and distributed armbands to conceal the partnership emblem on kits.

Broader Context and Other Clubs

During that period, Paris Saint-Germain renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda through 2028.

At the same time, Atlético Madrid signed a fresh deal for the same period that has led to the emblem appearing on the Spanish club's male and female kits.