Bank of Kigali has officially signed a major sponsorship agreement worth approximately $2.2 million (over Rwf 3.25 billion) to become the title sponsor of the Rwanda Premier League.
The deal that sees the league rebranded as the “BK Pro League” through the 2030/31 season was signed at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday, in the presence of Rwanda Premier League Board Chairman Yussuf Mudaheranwa and BK CEO Diane Karusisi.
Under the agreement, BK becomes the official title sponsor of Rwanda’s top-flight football competition, which previously had no naming rights partner.
The introduction of a title sponsor marks a shift in the league’s commercial structure, aligning it with other leagues that operate under naming rights agreements.
After the expiry of the league sponsorship by brewer Bralirwa’s Primus in 2024, the Rwanda Premier League Board said it will be ready to open talks with potential sponsors only if their sponsorship proposals are above Rwf 700 million.
The league body is currently in search of new sponsors for the topflight league after their contract with Bralirwa’s Primus expired at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The brewer in March 2021 signed a four-year deal, reportedly worth Rwf 600 million, to sponsor the league which had since rebranded to Primus National league that ended after the 2023/24 season..
But since the deal expired, the league started a new season without a sponsor and it is reported that the current situation saw the monthly awards for best performing players and coaches are temporarily suspended.