Milan, partnership with Congo: "We will contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country"

Milan, 20 June 2025 - Support, concrete action. For an extraordinary partnership, in the name of social and economic development. Today the announcement: in alignment with the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa , Milan is at the centre of an international platform and is launching a collaboration with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo through its Ministry of Tourism.

On the economic level, the agreement will help attract new investments, create business opportunities and support the country's international tourism promotion strategy. On the social level, with the support of Fondazione Milan , a series of concrete actions are planned, such as the foundation of the first Milan Academy and the construction of a new school, for local communities, in collaboration with Fondazione Mama Sofia, founded by Zakia Seddiki Attanasio , wife of the former Italian ambassador to Congo Luca Attanasio. This was announced by the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Judith Suminwa , at the end of today's summit hosted in Rome by the Italian Government and the European Commission, in the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Prime Minister declared: "A new bridge has just been created between our two countries through a strategic partnership that combines diplomacy, cooperation and investment between the Italian football team AC Milan and the Ministry of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo". In the first part of the new sports season, a delegation from the Rossoneri club, led by President Paolo Scaroni, will make an institutional visit to witness the concrete start of the projects. On this occasion, Milan will promote a meeting to foster synergies between representatives of local institutions, the Italian Embassy in Kinshasa and companies that make up the economic fabric of the two countries. Thus Paolo Scaroni, President of the Rossoneri club and of Fondazione Milan which, since 2003, has invested over 12 million euros in solidarity projects around the world: "We have chosen to make ourselves available to start an innovative path of collaboration that has the aim of contributing to the development plans of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the economic and social sphere, in continuity with the vision of the Italian Government in terms of international cooperation and in line with the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa". And again: "We want to take advantage of the role of Milan and its Foundation as institutions capable of promoting awareness and at the same time generating a concrete impact, alongside businesses and charities rooted in the territory. I would like to thank the Congolese Government, with which we are embarking on this new journey, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Farnesina for their support and for having supported us in identifying and communicating with the most authoritative organizations active in the territory".