Dakar 2026: Legacy in action

Dakar 2026 Learning Academy

It’s been seven years since Senegal was selected as host for the next Summer Youth Olympic Games.

One of the key objectives is for its legacy to spread far beyond the venues in the capital city Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

A flagship human-legacy initiative, the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, was established in May 2025. It trained and recruited more than 400 Senegalese and African professionals between the ages of 21 and 35 in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games.

The Learning Academy provides them with essential skills to support the delivery of Dakar 2026, while creating a lasting legacy of experienced event managers in Senegal and across Africa.

Organised in nine cohorts over an 18-month period, participants receive 10 days of IOC-led training, followed by five days of soft-skills development. 

Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, they gained knowledge in Games planning, sports and event operations, and functional area responsibilities.

More than half of the Dakar 2026 workforce is expected to be composed of Learning Academy alumni.