The Coordinator General of the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ), Ibrahima Wade, has commended the national mobilization around the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) set to take place in Dakar, Senegal. On Friday, October 2, 2026, Wade signed a partnership agreement with the Director General of the African Refining Company (SAR), Mamadou Abib Diop, in Mbao, a suburb of Dakar. This partnership will see SAR contribute 50 million CFA francs to the organization of the JOJ.
The partnership agreement also includes SAR providing fuel to COJOJ as part of its contribution to the Olympic event. According to Wade, the success of a major national project like the JOJ relies on the mobilization of all the country's vital forces. He noted that the state, technical and financial partners, local authorities, enterprises, sports federations, and civil society all have a role to play in the organization of the JOJ 2026.
Scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, the JOJ is a significant event that Senegal is hosting as the first African country. Wade expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation, citing various contributions from different sectors. For instance, he mentioned that the Ministry of Infrastructure is accelerating the execution of roadwork necessary for the JOJ, while the military is involved in cleaning up the Olympic village.
The national mobilization around the JOJ preparations has boosted Wade's confidence in the event's success. He highlighted that the collective effort will ensure a successful outcome. The African Refining Company and COJOJ share the ambition of making youth one of the primary beneficiaries of the event's legacy. This includes not only the successful hosting of the JOJ but also providing a lasting impact on the youth.
Mamadou Abib Diop, Director General of SAR, emphasized that the company's support for COJOJ aims to contribute to the development of Senegalese youth, enabling them to excel and showcase their talents. Diop expressed his optimism that the JOJ will leave a lasting legacy in Senegal, extending beyond the event itself. This legacy will include the infrastructure built and the skills developed during the preparations.
Ibrahima Wade also underscored the importance of the JOJ legacy, which will benefit Senegal's youth. He mentioned that the infrastructure and skills developed during the preparations will have a lasting impact. The collaboration between SAR and COJOJ reflects a broader national effort to ensure the success of the JOJ and to harness its benefits for the youth.
As the event approaches, the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies like SAR, and civil society, are geared towards ensuring a successful and impactful JOJ. With a clear vision of leaving a lasting legacy, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar are set to make a significant impact on Senegal and its youth.
Key points
- Senegal is the first African country to host the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026.
- The African Refining Company (SAR) is contributing 50 million CFA francs and fuel to support the organization of the JOJ.
- The event's legacy will include infrastructure and skills developed, aiming to primarily benefit Senegal's youth.
