FC Barcelona is exploring a new partnership with Tanzania after putting its agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on hold.
The Spanish club, led by president Joan Laporta, is at an advanced stage of negotiations with Tanzanian authorities, according to Africa Intelligence. The shift follows a deterioration in relations between Barcelona and Kinshasa that has left their previous arrangement suspended.
Barcelona and the DRC signed a four-year strategic partnership in July 2025 covering sports development and the promotion of Congolese culture. Under the agreement, Barça Academies were to organize sports camps and clinics for children in several disciplines, while the Barça Innovation Hub was to provide programs for coaches covering technical training, sports science and the organization of competitive events.
The deal also included broader promotional elements. Barcelona’s professional teams were to wear the “R.D. Congo - Coeur d’Afrique” motto on their training shirts through the 2028/29 season, while the future Spotify Camp Nou was expected to host a House of the DRC highlighting Congolese cultural and athletic heritage.
Tanzania has now become the focus of Barcelona’s new discussions. Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Paul Makonda visited the club on September 14 at Laporta’s invitation. According to Tanzania’s sports ministry and local media, the meeting examined areas such as youth development, coach education and the management of national teams.
The initiative comes as Tanzania prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Uganda. The tournament has drawn fresh attention to the country’s football infrastructure and preparations, lending context to the discussions with Barcelona.
However, no formal agreement has yet been reached. Tanzania is still exploring the scope of cooperation with the Spanish club, while Barcelona has not announced a new partnership. Any future deal would therefore create a new framework for Barcelona’s engagement with Tanzania rather than build on an existing program.
For Tanzania, the initiative could open a channel of cooperation with Barcelona on football development as the country prepares for AFCON 2027. For the Spanish club, the move signals a change in the club’s African partnership strategy, even as the previous arrangement with the DRC remains suspended.
