The upcoming “Africa Forward” summit in Nairobi, co-organized by France and Kenya, is set to explore how athletics can drive national development. This mission is particularly relevant for Sénégal, which is currently finalizing preparations to host the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar. This landmark event represents the first time an Olympic competition will be staged on the Africa continent.

With only months remaining before the opening ceremony, local officials are projecting a message of confidence. “Sénégal will be ready,” is the firm stance from the organizing committees. Scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, the 4th Summer YOG were pushed back from their original 2022 date due to the global pandemic. This delay has only increased the significance of the games for the region.

Leading the oversight is Ahmadou al-Aminou Lo, a high-ranking Minister of State and former director at the BCEAO. He chairs a dedicated monitoring committee that meets bi-monthly to coordinate state and local efforts. “Our mission is to mitigate any risks regarding the delivery of the games,” Lo explained. “We must ensure that our national institutions remain flexible and punctual. This is about the reputation of both Sénégal and Afrique. We are under pressure to prove our capacity to manage world-class sporting events.”

Beyond logistics and security, the host city is focusing heavily on urban renewal. Officials are prioritizing sanitation and waste management, aiming to emulate the standards set by Kigali, Rwanda, which is currently ranked as the cleanest city on the continent. Dakar, currently further down the list, views environmental excellence as its first symbolic “gold medal.”

International cooperation and infrastructure upgrades

The visual presence of the YOG is already growing across Dakar, with promotional banners lining the route from Blaise-Diagne International Airport to the city center. In the Plateau district, major rehabilitation projects are underway around Independence Square.

A key element of the preparation is the Alliance Dioko, a partnership established in 2019 between the organizing committees of Paris 2024 and Dakar 2026. Christine Fages, the French Ambassador to Sénégal, noted that this collaboration involves sharing expertise in areas ranging from volunteer recruitment to site security. Approximately thirty specialists from the Paris games have been integrated into the Dakar team.

Financial support has also been significant. An 80 million euro loan from the AFD (French Development Agency) is funding the renovation of the Iba-Mar-Diop Stadium and the Tour de l’oeuf complex. The latter features an Olympic-sized swimming pool and will host events like 3×3 basketball, skateboarding, breaking, and baseball. Furthermore, the Learning Academy has trained over 400 young people to manage sports infrastructure and events.

Building a sustainable legacy for the future

Construction at the Tour de l’oeuf in the Point E neighborhood is moving forward with hundreds of workers on-site. The new aquatic facilities utilize water and energy-saving technologies, with testing phases beginning in mid-May. The organizing committee expects to take full control of the venue by August 15.

For the Sénégal government, the long-term maintenance of these facilities is a core priority. The goal is to use the YOG as a catalyst for the Sénégal 2050 national agenda. “We want these games to leave a lasting legacy for our youth through improved training centers and elite sports programs,” says Ahmadou al-Aminou Lo. With half the population under the age of 19, the country aims to significantly grow its sports economy and boost the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism sector.