Rwanda, FC Bayern Extend Partnership to 2028, Focus on Youth Football Development
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Germany’s FC Bayern Munich have entered the second phase of their partnership, signing a new agreement that will run until 2028, with a strong emphasis on scouting and developing young football talent.
The announcement was made on Friday, August 8, 2025, through RDB’s official social media platforms. RDB played a central role in securing the deal.
The initial partnership was launched in August 2023, aimed at promoting grassroots football in Rwanda while featuring the Visit Rwanda brand on giant advertising boards at Allianz Arena — FC Bayern’s 75,024-seat stadium.
Over the past two years, professional coaches from FC Bayern have traveled to Rwanda to identify young players with exceptional talent. Selected players have been brought together for intensive training programs and sent to Germany for further development opportunities.
RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika said the new phase will prioritize nurturing youth talent.
“The FC Bayern Munich Academy in Kigali is a great example of what sports collaboration can achieve. In this second phase, we want to maximize our opportunities to develop talent, train coaches, and improve infrastructure,” he said.
“Our continued partnership with FC Bayern Munich reflects Rwanda’s progress towards becoming a hub for tourism, investment, and international competition.”
FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen echoed this sentiment, pledging to expand the club’s footprint in Kigali.
“In our constructive discussions with RDB, we agreed to increase our activities in Kigali through the Bayern Munich Academy,” Dreesen noted.
“Our renewed cooperation focuses on talent scouting, strengthening the academy, and working with RDB on community projects. This is part of our broader commitment to talent development in Africa.”
The partnership is already bearing fruit, with two Rwandan players — Ndayishimiye Barthazar and David Okoce — making it into FC Bayern Munich’s U19 team.
