Inaugurated on December 19, 2025, in Rabat, the Leopard Business Village – AFCON Morocco 2025 Expo positions itself as a pan-African platform for economic, cultural, and tourism diplomacy, spearheaded by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to strengthen bilateral partnerships and promote its soft power.
The Leopard Business Village – AFCON Morocco 2025 Expo officially opened its doors on December 19, 2025, in Rabat’s diplomatic district. Initiated by the Democratic Republic of the Congo through its Ministry of Tourism and implemented by the think tank RDC Stratégie, this 3,500-square-meter platform accompanies the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 and serves as an ephemeral embassy of the DRC.
Designed to promote tourism, culture, the economy, and sports, the structure aims to enhance bilateral cooperation between Morocco and the DRC. It targets investors, cultural operators, and economic stakeholders from both countries by fostering trade exchanges, cross-investments, and synergies between companies and institutions.
The Village is structured around three major pillars:
Exhibition Pavilion: Congolese companies active in infrastructure, technology, agro-industry, creative industries, and innovation.
Cultural and Festive Area: Concerts, gastronomy, artistic performances, creative workshops, and live broadcasts of AFCON matches.
Business and Diplomatic Hub: Ministerial panels, roundtables, business dinners, bilateral meetings, and networking sessions.
The program, running from December 19, 2025, to January 18, 2026, offers a comprehensive calendar of exhibitions, conferences, cultural events, and economic meetings, turning Rabat into a hub of pan-African economic and cultural exchange during the AFCON period.
The inauguration brought together members of the Moroccan government, ministers from the DRC, accredited diplomatic corps, as well as economic and cultural figures and African and international delegations. Through this initiative, the DRC reaffirms its identity and strategic positioning under the slogan: “DRC – Heart of Africa.”
