Keith Mweemba, president of the Football Association of Zambia, recently met with officials from the Zambian Premier League and representatives from MTN Zambia to review and strengthen their long standing partnership. The meeting focused on the future of football sponsorship in Zambia and explored ways to deepen collaboration between the governing body and the telecommunications giant. MTN remains one of the most influential corporate partners in Zambian football, sponsoring the country’s top flight league and supporting the national team. The engagement highlighted a shared commitment to ensure that football development continues to benefit from stable corporate backing. Both parties emphasized that strengthening this relationship will help maintain the growth of the sport across the country.
MTN’s involvement in Zambian football has played a major role in supporting competitions and national team programs. The company currently sponsors the top tier league known as the Zambian Super League as well as the national football team, the Zambia national football team commonly known as Chipolopolo. This sponsorship reflects MTN’s long term investment in the development and promotion of football in Zambia. Corporate partnerships of this scale help sustain league operations, improve the quality of competitions and create opportunities for players and clubs. The continued involvement of MTN signals confidence in the potential of Zambian football to grow both commercially and competitively.
Speaking during the meeting, Mweemba expressed appreciation for MTN’s willingness to continue supporting football in Zambia. He stated that FAZ views the relationship as a strategic partnership that should deliver value to both organizations. According to him, football remains the most popular sport in the world and has a unique ability to unite communities regardless of social or economic background. He emphasized that the governing body is focused on building a positive future rather than revisiting challenges that may have affected the partnership in the past. Mweemba assured MTN that FAZ remains committed to working closely with sponsors to strengthen the football ecosystem in the country.
The FAZ president also highlighted the importance of maintaining open dialogue between administrators and corporate partners. He explained that partnerships succeed when both sides work toward shared objectives and communicate consistently. Mweemba noted that FAZ intends to build stronger relationships with stakeholders who invest in the sport. He stressed that a stable partnership with MTN will help drive professional development in leagues, clubs and national teams. The goal is to create a football environment that benefits players, supporters and commercial partners alike.
Abbad Reda, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Zambia, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continuing its partnership with FAZ. He explained that MTN has supported Zambian football for many years and hopes to expand the relationship further. Reda emphasized that the company values partnerships that produce mutual benefits and contribute to national development through sport. He indicated that MTN is open to exploring new ways of supporting football programs that enhance the experience of supporters and strengthen the game’s infrastructure. His remarks highlighted the company’s long term vision of remaining a key partner in the growth of Zambian football.
MTN’s sponsorship of the Chipolopolo and the FAZ Secretariat dates back to 2010, making it one of the most consistent corporate supporters of the sport in Zambia. Over the years, the partnership has contributed to the promotion of the national team and the organization of domestic competitions. Such long term sponsorships provide stability for football administrators and allow them to plan development programs with greater confidence. The current partnership agreement between MTN and FAZ will remain in place until December 2026. This timeline gives both organizations the opportunity to expand their collaboration while continuing to strengthen the foundation of Zambian football.
The meeting between FAZ and MTN Zambia signals a renewed commitment to collaboration between football administrators and corporate sponsors. With football continuing to attract massive support across the country, strong partnerships are essential for sustaining growth and improving competitiveness. FAZ’s leadership has made it clear that it wants to build forward looking relationships that focus on development and innovation. MTN’s willingness to deepen its involvement shows confidence in the future of Zambian football. Together, the two organizations aim to create a partnership that benefits players, fans and the broader sporting community while securing long term growth for the game.