The Minister of Ground and Air Transport, Yankhoba Diémé, took the helm of the first coordination meeting of the Transport and Mobility Steering Committee this week, marking the launch of the operational plan for an unprecedented event in Senegal’s history.
For the first time, Africa will host the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, welcoming nearly 2,700 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, along with officials, volunteers, and spectators. The logistical challenge is immense, prompting authorities to design a structured mobility system across three key hubs: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly/Mbour.
Three-tiered operational framework
The initiative rests on three pillars: the Steering Committee (COPIL), chaired by Minister Diémé; the Technical Committee « Mobility JOJ 2026 », led by the CETUD; and the AIBD Operations Committee, responsible for managing flows at the Blaise Diagne International Airport.
The minister emphasized that seamless mobility is critical to the event’s success, both operationally and in terms of security. Rail transport will play a pivotal role in connecting Dakar, Diamniadio, the AIBD, and Thiès, ensuring swift and efficient movement of participants and visitors.
Testing and refining the system
With execution now accelerating, authorities are preparing full-scale simulations to evaluate the transport and security framework. The goal? To position the YOG Dakar 2026 as a showcase of Senegal’s logistical expertise while leaving a lasting legacy in national transport governance.
