“Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”: Leveraging the 2026 Youth Olympic Games for Economic Growth, Cultural Promotion, and Youth Development in Senegal

Abstract

Major international sporting events have increasingly become arenas of immense societal, cultural, economic, and political significance. For instance, hosting the 1992 Olympics had massive economic benefits for Barcelona, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showcased to the world how the country had evolved post-apartheid, and the 2024 Paris Olympics displayed the richness of French history and culture. In 2026, Senegal will host the 4th Summer Edition of the Youth Olympic Games, across the cities of Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The 2026 Youth Olympics not only marks the first time that Senegal will host a major international sporting event but also the first Olympic event held on the African continent. Accordingly, the Youth Olympics represent a crucial opportunity to investigate and understand how to successfully execute a major international sporting event in Africa, particularly in West Africa. This thesis explores policies that could ensure the success of the upcoming 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games. This thesis proposes a number of recommendations for the Senegalese government and the Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee on the most effective approach for hosting the Games and the policies that will maximize its impact. The central research question guiding this thesis is: What approach—economic, political, or cultural—to hosting international sporting events should the Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee and Senegalese government pursue, and what specific policies will contribute to the success of this approach? The thesis relies on case studies of past international sporting events and detailed interviews conducted with those organizing the event in real time. Utilizing a case study methodology, this thesis analyzes the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (economic), the 2008 Olympics in Beijing (political), and the 2024 Olympics in Paris (cultural). Each case study includes an overview of the sporting event, the context of the host country, a deeper discussion of the benefits and challenges of the specific approach, and the relevance for Dakar 2026. This thesis then incorporates expert perspectives from individuals within the Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture. These interviews and conversations offered key insights into the Senegalese context and the current state of preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympics. Drawing from these two methods, this thesis advises the Senegalese government and Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee to implement a joint economic and cultural approach to maximize the success of this historic event. These economically and culturally oriented policy recommendations include the creation of youth athletic pathways, the development of public transportation infrastructure, a Dakar 2026 Cultural Olympiad, inclusion of various ethnicities and rural communities, and fostering greater environmental sustainability. The findings from this thesis assist in creating a new model for evaluating future international sporting events, especially those held in Africa.