World Bank Vice President Ousmane Diagana praises Dakar 2026 Learning Academy at COJOJ headquarters; aims to train 300+ youths and boost employability

Dakar 2026 Learning Academy impresses the World Bank

The World Bank expressed its pride in contributing to the preparations for Dakar 2026 and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the career development of young talents from the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (COJOJ) who have taken part in the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy.

On Friday, 7 August 2026, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (COJOJ), welcomed Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for West and Central Africa, and his team to the COJOJ headquarters.

Held just weeks ahead of the arrival of the Olympic Flame, the meeting built on the momentum already generated by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and highlighted the skills and experience gained by young talents through the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of preparations for the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent, while also exploring potential partnerships and support mechanisms to promote youth employability and job creation in the context of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The ambition of the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy

The presentations were delivered by young staff members who took part in the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy. Launched by the COJOJ in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this innovative intensive training programme is designed to equip young professionals with the skills needed to organise major sporting events.

The programme aims to train more than 300 young Senegalese and African professionals aged between 21 and 35. Following their training, the Learners joined operational departments across the COJOJ, putting their newly acquired skills and expertise into practice as part of the preparations for Dakar 2026.

During the meeting, the Learners were invited to provide a detailed update on preparations for the Games, covering several areas including venues and infrastructure, transport, youth engagement, accreditation, ticketing and other key operational areas. The discussions then focused on several key areas, including health, employment, the environment, legacy and youth employability.

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“The Legacy of Dakar 2026”

This training programme is an integral part of the legacy of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, as highlighted by COJOJ President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye during the meeting.

“The legacy of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is a priority for all of us, particularly when it comes to creating lasting opportunities for our youth. The Dakar 2026 Learning Academy aims to inspire new career paths among young people and equip them with new skills to help facilitate their social and professional integration ,” he said.

The Dakar 2026 Learning Academy also particularly impressed the World Bank Vice President and his delegation, who praised the programme for its relevance and impact.

It also aligns closely with the World Bank’s priorities in the areas of economic and social development. The Learning Academy, in particular, shares strong similarities with the World Bank’s SIRA programme.

With a budget of $642 million, this regional initiative aims to equip young people with skills that meet the needs of businesses. In the long term, the SIRA programme seeks to strengthen their employability and facilitate their transition into the workforce.

Following the meeting, which was marked by fruitful and constructive discussions, the World Bank Vice President said: “I am truly impressed by the quality of the presentations delivered by the young people from the Learning Academy, as well as by the advanced stage of preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The COJOJ is doing an extraordinary job to welcome the world to Africa .”

“ I hope that this meeting will mark the beginning of even closer cooperation between the World Bank and the Senegalese and African Olympic Movement, so that the Games leave a lasting legacy that goes beyond sporting success and serves Senegalese and African youth, as well as generations to come, ” Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye also said at the conclusion of the meeting.

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