The Senegalese government has taken a significant step towards enhancing public safety and infrastructure ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar. The Agence nationale pour les énergies renouvelables (ANER) has installed 1,200 solar-powered streetlights in Saly and Diamniadio at a cost of 1.5 billion CFA francs. This initiative aims to improve public lighting and contribute to the security of the population, visitors, and delegations expected for the event.
The installation of these solar-powered streetlights is part of the preparations for the 2026 YOG, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026. According to Thierno Alia Mbengue, Director-General of ANER, the project was completed in 25 days. The streetlights are expected to enhance the lighting of public spaces and ensure a safe environment for the event, which is the first Olympic Games to be held on African soil.
A nighttime inspection was conducted in Diamniadio by the General Delegate, Me Moussa Diop, accompanied by the Director-General of ANER and representatives of the COJOJ Dakar 2026. The visit aimed to verify the quality and proper functioning of the public lighting in the urban pole. The officials inspected major axes, sports infrastructure surroundings, and public spaces, paying particular attention to traffic conditions and nighttime safety.
The installation of these streetlights is part of a larger national program launched by the Senegalese government in 2019. The program aims to install 303,000 solar-powered streetlights nationwide, with an estimated investment of nearly 390 billion CFA francs. This project is expected to contribute significantly to the country's energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
The Director-General of ANER expressed satisfaction with the state of the equipment and commended the mobilization of technical teams, companies responsible for the work, and public authorities. He also assured that arrangements have been made to guarantee the maintenance of the installations during the Games, including spare parts and a technical monitoring system.
As the 2026 YOG approaches, public lighting is one of the key aspects of the infrastructure development aimed at ensuring the smooth running of the event. The challenge now is to maintain the equipment operational throughout the competition and to sustain their use for the benefit of the population after the Games.
The 2026 YOG is expected to attract thousands of visitors and athletes from around the world. The Senegalese government is working tirelessly to ensure that the event is a success and that it leaves a lasting legacy for the country. The installation of solar-powered streetlights is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- The installation of 1,200 solar-powered streetlights in Saly and Diamniadio is part of Senegal's preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- The project was completed in 25 days at a cost of 1.5 billion CFA francs.
- The installation is part of a larger national program to install 303,000 solar-powered streetlights nationwide.
