The Minister of Terrestrial and Air Transport, Yankhoba Diémé, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Transport and Mobility Steering Committee this past Thursday, marking the official launch of the operational plan for an event of historic significance.

For the first time in African history, Senegal is set to host a global multi-sport event of this magnitude, with nearly 2,700 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, along with officials, volunteers, and spectators, converging on Dakar and its surrounding areas.

To tackle the logistical challenges ahead, authorities have established a three-pronged organizational structure across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly/Mbour. This includes:

• A Steering Committee (COPIL), led by Minister Yankhoba Diémé,
• A Technical Committee for Mobility 2026, coordinated by the Transport and Urban Mobility Agency (CETUD), and
• an Operations Committee for Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD), overseeing passenger flows.

The minister emphasized that mobility is a cornerstone of success, particularly in terms of logistics and security. The railway network will play a pivotal role in swiftly connecting Dakar, Diamniadio, AIBD, and Thiès. With execution now in full swing, authorities are preparing full-scale simulations to fine-tune transport and security measures. The goal is to position the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games as a showcase of Senegalese expertise in transportation management while leaving a lasting legacy in the sector.