With fewer than six months remaining until the opening ceremony, Dakar is buzzing with activity as the Senegalese capital finalizes preparations for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG)—a landmark event that will mark the first-ever Olympic competition held on African soil. Scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026, the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games will bring together over 2,700 young athletes from around the world, all under the age of 17, competing across 25 sports with a total of 153 events.
This historic milestone has placed immense pressure on Ahmadou al-Aminou Lo, Senegal’s Minister of State responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Senegal 2050 Transformation Agenda. As chair of the YOG Monitoring Committee, Lo oversees a rigorous bi-monthly coordination effort involving state, local, and institutional stakeholders, ensuring that every deadline is met without compromise.
a dual responsibility: global standards and national pride
Speaking about the significance of the event, Lo emphasized the dual pressure and responsibility facing Senegal: «Our role is to ensure that all risks associated with delivering the YOG are mitigated. We must ensure that Senegalese institutions are agile and ready to meet the challenge on time. I serve as the quality assurance for these preparations, and with these Games, it is about the image of Senegal and Africa. We have a duty to prove that we are capable of hosting world-class sporting events.»
cleanliness as the first medal
In addition to organizational excellence and safety, Dakar faces a critical challenge: ensuring cleanliness and efficient waste management. The authorities are acutely aware of this responsibility. «Our first medal will be for cleanliness,» Lo declared. A strategic plan has been implemented to match the standards set by Kigali, which topped Jeune Afrique’s 2025 ranking of Africa’s cleanest cities. Dakar currently ranks 17th in the same survey.
a partnership with France: leveraging Paris 2024’s expertise
The partnership between Senegal and France, formalized in a 2019 agreement, has been instrumental in preparing for the YOG. The Alliance Dioko initiative facilitates the exchange of best practices between the French and Senegalese organizing committees, covering areas such as volunteer recruitment, event security, and site management. This collaboration has seen the integration of 30 experts from the Paris 2024 team into the Dakar 2026 operations, along with the training of 419 young Senegalese in the Learning Academy program, which equips them with skills in sports event organization and facility management.
France has also contributed financially through a €80 million sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD), supporting the renovation of the Stade Iba-Mar-Diop and the Tour de l’œuf complex, which houses the new Olympic swimming pool. Additionally, twelve community sports facilities are being developed as part of this initiative.
infrastructure upgrades: the tour de l’œuf and beyond
As of early May, construction work at the Tour de l’œuf complex in Dakar’s Point E district continues, with a slight delay compared to the initial schedule announced last year. The site will host competitions in basketball 3×3, baseball, breaking, and skateboarding. Over 450 workers are involved in the upgrades, which include the Olympic pool and diving basins, as well as the installation of energy- and water-efficient technologies. A full water test of the three basins is planned for May 15, with the Senegalese Organizing Committee scheduled to take possession of the facility on August 15, two and a half months before the Games begin.
Following the YOG, the complex is expected to become a multi-sport venue, featuring football, basketball, handball, and tennis facilities.
legacy and long-term vision: Senegal 2050
For Senegal, the YOG represent more than just a sporting event—they are a catalyst for long-term development. Minister Lo highlighted the importance of leveraging the Games to build a sustainable sporting legacy: «We want the YOG to be a catalyst for change, particularly in youth development. Through the creation of sports excellence centers, the promotion of high-level competition, and the expansion of the sports economy, we aim to double the contribution of the sports industry to Senegal’s GDP. Currently, the sports sector accounts for only €15 million, but we intend to grow this to €30 million by capitalizing on the MICE industry—meetings, incentives, conferences, and events—which is central to our Senegal 2050 agenda.»
The YOG are not just a test of Senegal’s organizational capabilities but also a platform to demonstrate the country’s potential as a future host for larger international events, reinforcing its role on the global stage.
