The top-tier football league in Rwanda has secured a new sponsor and has officially been renamed the BK Pro League for the next five years.
On the afternoon of Friday, April 24, 2026, Bank of Kigali signed a five-and-a-half-year sponsorship agreement with the Rwanda Premier League to support the country’s top-flight football competition. The deal, worth 3.25 billion Rwandan Francs, includes a naming rights change, with the league now officially called the BK Pro League starting from that date.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, explained that the bank’s main objective in entering Rwandan football is to expand its reach among the population. Currently, the bank serves nearly one million customers, and through this partnership with the football league, they aim to grow that number significantly.
She said:
“Bank of Kigali has been operating in Rwanda for 60 years, working closely with Rwandans. This year, we realized that having nearly one million customers is not enough. That’s why we looked for partners who could help us grow that number to around three million. We believe this is achievable by working with the Rwanda Premier League, given how popular football is in Rwanda.”
Dr. Karusisi added that they expect strong returns from the partnership, noting that football is no longer just entertainment but also a business. She referenced lessons learned from Rwanda’s partnerships with European clubs such as Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid through the Visit Rwanda initiative.
The President of the Rwanda Premier League Board, Hadji Mudaheranwa, addressed how clubs will benefit financially. He explained that traditionally, clubs receive 60% of league revenues. However, with Bank of Kigali’s involvement, this could increase to over 70%, depending on performance and other incentives.
He said:
“Our plan is not limited to BK’s sponsorship alone but includes all revenues generated by the Rwanda Premier League. Normally, 60% is distributed among the 16 top-division clubs. With BK’s arrival and the value they bring, there will be additional incentives based on team performance, meaning some clubs could receive more than 70% of total revenues.”
Rwanda Premier League CEO Jules Karangwa stated that an immediate payment of 250 million Rwandan Francs will be disbursed for the remainder of the current season, while the remaining 3 billion Rwandan Francs will be paid over the next five years. This means Bank of Kigali will contribute 600 million Rwandan Francs annually.
He said:
“The 250 million Rwandan Francs will be provided immediately for the remaining part of the season, while the remaining 3 billion will be distributed over the next five years. That translates to 600 million Rwandan Francs per year.”
Karangwa further explained that clubs will receive funds through three main mechanisms: equal distribution among all teams, performance-based rewards, and additional criteria.
Back in August 2019, AZAM Media Ltd, which had sponsored the league for four years, informed FERWAFA that negotiations held in Tanzania had not changed their earlier decision to terminate the partnership.
Since then, Rwandan top-flight football has faced financial instability, with several clubs struggling to sustain operations. This new partnership between the Rwanda Premier League and Bank of Kigali is seen as a major boost, offering hope for financial stability and long-term growth in Rwandan football.
