Barça–DRC: A unique partnership for sporting and cultural development
FC Barcelona and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Join Forces to Promote Sport and Culture Across Four Seasons.On July 29, FC Barcelona and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially announced a major four-year strategic partnership aimed at promoting “football, a culture of sport, and peace.” This agreement, titled “Official Partner for Empowerment through Sport and Culture,” positions the DRC as a key player in multisport development.
As part of the deal, all professional teams of the Catalan club will wear the slogan “D.R. Congo – Heart of Africa” on the back of their training jerseys until 2029. The partnership also includes the launch of an immersive “House of the DRC” at Spotify Camp Nou to showcase the country’s cultural and sporting heritage. Sports training will be a central element of the collaboration, with programs at the Barça Academies focusing on football, basketball, handball, futsal, and roller hockey, as well as advanced courses through the Barça Innovation Hub.
This unprecedented collaboration with the legendary Catalan club adds to the DRC’s previous partnerships with European clubs such as AS Monaco and AC Milan, further strengthening the international visibility of Congolese sports. The Kinshasa government hopes to revitalize its national sports sector and is looking ahead to hosting the 2029 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), supported by a plan to renovate sports infrastructure.
This partnership is part of a broader strategy for sustainable development in the DRC’s sports sector, combining media exposure, skill transfer, and economic opportunities, with the ultimate goal of making sport a driver of social transformation and national unity.
