As the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar approach, stakeholders involved in the event's preparation are intensifying their collaboration. The Agence d'execution des travaux d'interet public (AGETIP) and the Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse (COJOJ) have signed a convention to formalize their cooperation on several projects, including the Place du Souvenir Africain and its surroundings. The signing ceremony took place at the Place du Souvenir Africain, a site that will play a significant role in the Dakar 2026 event.
The convention aims to provide a framework for the collaboration between AGETIP and COJOJ, focusing on identifying spaces, conducting studies and construction work, and ensuring necessary interventions at the Place du Souvenir Africain. According to Ibrahima Wade, COJOJ's general coordinator, this partnership is crucial for the success of the first Youth Olympics on African soil. He emphasized the need for collective mobilization and efficient coordination among stakeholders to meet the tight deadline.
Ibrahima Wade praised AGETIP's commitment to the project, highlighting their role in renovating the Place du Souvenir Africain, which previously hosted the Olympic flame. The site will host various activities during the Youth Olympics, including a cycling competition, an area dedicated to ten engagement sports, and cultural and artistic events. El Hadji Malick Gaye, AGETIP's general director, expressed his agency's readiness to support the project, leveraging its experience in public works and project management.
The partnership between AGETIP and COJOJ extends beyond the operational aspects, as it also aims to clarify responsibilities, particularly regarding financing, governance, and project monitoring. Both parties emphasized the importance of coordination, responsibility, transparency, and efficiency in ensuring the project's success. The goal is to make Dakar 2026 a landmark event showcasing Senegal's capacity to host a large-scale international sports event.
The Place du Souvenir Africain holds significant cultural and symbolic value, serving as a site of memory, culture, and gathering. During the Youth Olympics, it will welcome a diverse audience, including young people, athletes, and visitors from around the world. The convention between AGETIP and COJOJ seeks to balance the site's transformation and development with its preservation as a heritage site.
Ibrahima Wade and El Hadji Malick Gaye stressed the importance of ensuring that investments made for Dakar 2026 have a lasting impact. The convention is part of a broader effort to make the most of the event, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in promoting Senegal's image and capabilities. The two parties expressed their commitment to working together to deliver a successful event.
The strengthened partnership between AGETIP and COJOJ is a significant step towards the successful organization of the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. With the event's opening date approaching, stakeholders are working to ensure that all projects, including those at the Place du Souvenir Africain, are completed on time and meet the required standards.
Key points
- AGETIP and COJOJ have signed a convention to enhance collaboration on infrastructure projects ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar.
- The partnership focuses on the development of the Place du Souvenir Africain, which will host various activities during the event.
- The convention aims to ensure efficient coordination, transparency, and responsibility in the project's implementation.
