AC Milan Launches Strategic Partnership with Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: AC Milan

AC Milan has announced a new long-term partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) aimed at fostering socioeconomic development, advancing sports diplomacy, and supporting the country’s tourism and youth development strategies. The initiative is aligned with the Mattei Plan for Africa, a strategic Italian foreign policy framework focused on cooperation and investment across the African continent.

The announcement formalizes a collaboration between AC Milan, the Ministry of Tourism of the DRC, and local organizations, placing the football club at the center of an international platform focused on both economic opportunity and community impact.

Multi-Layered Partnership Model AC Milan Democratic Republic of the Congo

The agreement is structured across three core pillars:

1. Economic development – Attracting investment and facilitating commercial partnerships between Congolese and Italian businesses, especially in the tourism sector.

2. Social impact projects – Through Fondazione Milan, the club will fund and support community-based initiatives, starting with the construction of a school in Boma, in collaboration with Fondazione Mama Sofia.

3. Football development – AC Milan will establish its first Academy in the DRC, promoting the Milan Method and delivering youth training programs in a safe and inclusive environment.

   
   

The DRC’s Ministry of Tourism will also become Premium Partner and Official Tourism Destination Partner of the club, aiming to spotlight the country's cultural heritage, biodiversity, and ecotourism potential.

Institutional Support and Upcoming Delegation Visit

An official delegation from AC Milan, led by Chairman Paolo Scaroni, will visit the DRC in the early part of the 2025/26 season to mark the launch of the projects. The club will also host a high-level meeting to foster dialogue between local institutions, the Italian Embassy in Kinshasa, and businesses from both countries.

Paolo Scaroni, Chairman of AC Milan and Fondazione Milan, stated:

“We are taking part in an innovative collaboration that supports the DRC’s development plans in line with the Mattei Plan for Africa. AC Milan and its Foundation are committed to generating tangible social and economic impact by working with institutions, companies, and NGOs that are deeply rooted in the region.”

DRC Government Positioning and Soft Power Strategy

The Congolese government has framed the partnership as a strategic component of its nation branding and soft power agenda. It supports President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s broader diplomatic efforts to reposition the DRC as a key player on the African and global stage.

Didier M'Pambia Musanga, Minister of Tourism of the DRC, emphasized the significance of the collaboration:

“This agreement goes beyond sports sponsorship. It aligns with our goal of promoting investment, cultural heritage, and youth talent through international partnerships. Milan’s presence opens up new pathways for bilateral cooperation and engagement.”

Strategic Implications

For AC Milan, this partnership supports the club’s broader internationalization goals and social responsibility agenda. With an estimated 17 million fans across Sub-Saharan Africa, the region is a growing market for the club — not just in terms of brand loyalty, but also as a base for grassroots football development, social outreach, and commercial expansion.

For the DRC, the collaboration provides a high-visibility platform to drive investment, support tourism, and build capacity through sport, particularly in under-resourced communities.