Rwanda signs deal with NFL and NBA teams
Javon Small of the Memphis Grizzlies high fives the bench during the game against the LA Clippers during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 20, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Logan Riely / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP
Audio By Vocalize
Rwanda has announced a long-term sponsorship deal with the Los Angeles Rams and LA Clippers, becoming the first African nation to partner with both the NFL and NBA for tourism branding.
Visit Rwanda,
the tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board, will appear as the exclusive
jersey patch sponsor of the LA Clippers, while the Los Angeles Rams' home field
will also carry its branding.
"This
engagement enables us to export Rwanda's unrivalled natural beauty and
extraordinary biodiversity to the people of Los Angeles as well as NBA and NFL
fans everywhere," said Jean-Guy Afrika, Rwanda Development Board CEO in a
statement.
The east African
nation has long pitched itself as a hub for major sporting events and a leading
ecotourism destination -part of its bid to attract investors and move beyond the
shadow of the 1994 genocide.
In 2018, Rwanda
became the official tourism partner of English football club Arsenal FC, with
the "Visit Rwanda" logo appearing on the players' sleeves.
Kigali has also
entered deals with other football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and is fighting
to host a Formula One race.
Rwanda last week
became the first African country to host the cycling world championships which
concluded on Sunday.
Leave a Comment