AC Milan have announced DRC, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as a new principal partner of the club in an attempt to ‘foster socioeconomic development’.
In October last year, we published a bonus article about Milan’s imminent agreement with DRC over an in-depth partnership. We highly recommend giving that article a read even if it’s months old, as the Rossoneri have now announced the partnership on their website.
No figures were mentioned in the statement, as expected, but it’s previously been reported that the deal could be worth around €10m per year for Milan. Maybe even a little more. In any case, you can find the official statement below…
“In alignment with the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa, a strategic initiative of diplomacy, cooperation and investment by the Italian Government, AC Milan is launching a collaboration with the Democratic Republic of the Congo through its Ministry of Tourism. Leveraging role of the Club and the impact-generating capacity of its Foundation, AC Milan will be at the heart of an international platform aimed at supporting the socioeconomic development of the African nation.
“On an economic level, the agreement will favour the attraction of new investments and the creation of business opportunities with Italian and international stakeholders. It will also support the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s strategy to boost international tourism.
“In this context, the Ministry of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will become the new Premium Partner and Official Tourism Destination Partner of the Club, the goal of highlighting the unique features and biodiversity of the largest country in Central Africa.
“On the social front, with support from Fondazione Milan – which has invested over €12 million since 2003 in solidarity projects worldwide – the collaboration will promote a series of concrete actions for the benefit of local communities, starting with the regeneration of a sports facility serving younger generations, up to the construction of a school in Boma, in partnership with the well-established Fondazione Mama Sofia, founded by Zakia Seddiki Attanasio, wife of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca Attanasio.
“The new partnership will also serve as the foundation for the first AC Milan Academy in the country. Through the AC Milan International Academy project, the Rossoneri Club will promote the well-being of young athletes in a safe and healthy environment, guaranteeing a lasting positive impact in a region where passion for the Rossoneri colours runs deep. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, AC Milan is the most supported Italian club and ranks among the world’s top ten clubs, with an estimated 17 million fans.
“In the early part of the new sporting season, a delegation from the Rossoneri Club, led by Chairman Paolo Scaroni, will undertake an institutional visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to mark the concrete launch of the projects. On this occasion, AC Milan will also organise a meeting to foster synergies between representatives of local institutions, the Italian Embassy in Kinshasa and companies forming the economic fabric of both countries,” the statement read.
