The five-year partnership between German football giants FC Bayern Munich and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has entered a new phase, transitioning from a commercial sponsorship to a talent development-focused collaboration that will run through 2028. Originally signed in August 2023, the partnership was designed to promote Rwanda as a tourism and investment destination. Under the Visit Rwanda branding, Rwanda’s image featured prominently on match day LED boards at Bayern’s 75,000-seat Allianz Arena. The deal also led to the creation of a Bayern Munich fan club and an initiative with the Ministry of Sports to establish a football academy.That agreement has now evolved to prioritize football talent development at its core. “In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with RDB was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy,” said Jan-Christian Dreesen, the Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of FC Bayern Munich “We are therefore transforming our commercial partnership into a talent programme and expanding the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali together with the RDB as both a football and social initiative. This remains perfectly aligned with our strategic objective of developing playing talent in Africa.” ALSO READ: Govt eyes Rwf30bn from sports tourism by 2029 Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of RDB, underscored Rwanda’s commitment to leveraging sport for national development. “The success of the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali is a great example of what strategic sports partnerships can achieve. As we enter a new phase, we are refocusing our resources to accelerate sports development, with emphasis on talent identification, coaching excellence, and sports infrastructure,” he noted. “This continued partnership with FC Bayern helps ensure that talent development remains anchored in our broader vision to position Rwanda as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport, he added. The shift toward development is already producing results. Three promising young Rwandan footballers David Okoce, Balthazar Ndayishimiye, and Nelson Irumva have been selected for the prestigious 2025 FC Bayern World Squad, a global program designed to nurture top under-19 talent. ALSO READ: Rwandan duo handed U19 FC Bayern World Squad 2025 selection More about Rwanda’s rising stars at Bayern FC academy David Okoce – Right Winger Born on February 22, 2007, Okoce previously played for Gorilla FC Academy in Gasabo District and studied at Ecose Musambira in Kamonyi District. Nelson Irumva – Midfielder Born on July 6, 2008, Irumva played for Akagera FC Academy in Kayonza District. Studied at GS Abadahigwa, he earned his selection following standout performances during the trials held at Kigali Pele Stadium on September 5. Balthazar Ndayishimiye – Striker Born on January 1, 2008, Ndayishimiye is a striker who also featured for Gorilla FC Academy, based in Muhanga District. Like Okoce, he was a student at Ecose Musambira The selections are just the beginning. With the expansion of the FC Bayern Youth Academy in Kigali, more Rwandan talents are expected to follow in their footsteps, benefiting from high-level training, international exposure, and a clear path toward professional football.
