Senegal is making significant strides toward becoming the first African nation to host an Olympic sports event, with the Youth Olympic Games set for October 2026. The country is undertaking major renovations of its sports venues, with Chinese assistance helping to bring these preparations to fruition.
The Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in 2026 are expected to present sporting, social, cultural, educational and economic transformation for the West African country that could also create new opportunities and growth for Senegal’s young people. With 664 days to go, progress continues on the planning and preparations for the event’s venues as the country has recently benefited from China’s mass support.
« I came here to see how the work is progressing since it started in 2022. The project will take 30 months to complete, with the delivery date scheduled for April 2025. We are pleased to report that the work is progressing well. We will therefore maintain our monitoring visits to guarantee that the deadline will be met. »
KHADY DIENE GAYE, Sports Minister, – Senegal
The renovation of the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in the capital can mark a significant step forward in infrastructure development for the upcoming Games.The Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium, which is financed by China, is one of numerous regional stadiums undergoing renovation. The Senegalese people have also had their say on the work so far as well as the Chinese expertise in the field of sports infrastructure.
« We can only thank the Chinese engineers for the excellent work accomplished. The stadium is magnificent! It is truly with great pleasure that I appreciate the co-operation between China and Senegal which has borne many fruits in the field of sports infrastructure. »
SEYDINA ISSABLAYE THIAW, President Football Supporters Association – Senegal
Next year’s Youth Games could present a major opportunity to transform Senegal’s sporting landscape, while also establishing a framework for possible future Games hosts on the continent. The refurbishment of the country’s stadiums by China is also part of a broader initiative to ensure the provision of state-of-the-art facilities to host continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and CHAN tournaments.
