"R.D.Congo, Coeur de l’Afrique", new premium partner of AS Monaco | OneFootball

AS Monaco and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of Congo are pleased to announce an unprecedented collaboration between the Principality's club and “R.D.Congo, Coeur de l’Afrique” until 2028.

This association, which draws on the experience of AS Monaco, aims to contribute to the development of Congolese football and boost the country’s international profile.

Support the professionalization of football in the DRC

Implemented in collaboration with DRC Ministry of Sports and Leisure, this audacious collaboration is part of a vision to make football a lever for social, economic, and cultural transformation, in order to serve Congolese youth and develop the image of the DRC.

The partnership will be based on two main pillars:

This is not just an agreement, it is a 360-degree vision for our future, built on unity and determination. Together with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, we are united by a common commitment: to build strong industries that will benefit everyone. For my part, I am convinced that we can create a thriving sporting environment.

Didier BudimbuMinister of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Several Congolese talents at AS Monaco

As a club with a strong international focus, AS Monaco has seen several Congolese talents play in its diagonal jersey. Iconic figures such as Shabani Nonda (145 games, 67 goals, Ligue 1 top scorer in 2003) and Cédric Mongongu (94 games, trained in Monaco and Congolese international with nearly 40 caps) have excelled in the Monegasque colors. The partnership between the two entities strengthens this link and opens up new opportunities for future footballers in the DRC.

To train talent, develop values…

With the support of its President Félix Tshisekedi, the DRC is thus embarking on an ambitious and innovative model, in which sport transcends its traditional role to become a powerful driver of growth, inclusion and a symbol of national strength. The ambition is clear: to train talent, develop values, and build lasting influence for a better future for young people and greater promotion of skills.

Visible on the sleeve of jersey in Ligue 1 and Champions League

The “R.D.Congo, Coeur de l’Afrique” brand will benefit from significant exposure. It will be visible on the sleeve of the AS Monaco professional team’s jersey in Ligue 1 and during European competitions, starting with the 2025-26 Champions League. It will also appear on the front of the jerseys of the Academy teams (Elite Group, U19, U17).

Its presence will also extend to the Club’s home visibility supports and across all its communication platforms, directly reaching AS Monaco’s more than 26 million followers on social media.

We are proud to enter into this partnership with the DRC and honored by the trust placed in us by the Ministry of Sports and Leisure to contribute to the country’s reputation and support efforts to structure and develop local football. We look forward to embarking on this unprecedented collaboration for the Club.

Didier Budimbu, Minister of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of Congo: “This is not just an agreement, it is a 360-degree vision for our future, built on unity and determination. Together with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, we are united by a common commitment: to build strong industries that will benefit everyone. For my part, I am convinced that we can create a thriving sporting environment that will generate jobs, inspire national pride, and open up endless horizons for our youth. The time has come to invest where the future is already underway, and that place is the DRC! By opening our country to new opportunities, we will nurture our championships and bring our national talents to the world stage. Together, we will build a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

Thiago Scuro, CEO of AS Monaco: “We are proud to enter into this partnership with the DRC and honored by the trust placed in us by the Ministry of Sports and Leisure to contribute to the country’s reputation and support efforts to structure and develop local football. We look forward to embarking on this unprecedented collaboration for the Club.”