Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: The Autonomous Port of Dakar is preparing a reinforced security plan

The Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD) is preparing a reinforced security plan for the Dakar-2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). A meeting dedicated to the preparation of this plan was held this Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with the defense and security forces.

The plan notably includes raising the alert level. "We are going to raise the alert level to allow the athletes who have just spent a safe stay in Senegal to have a very good Games," said Captain Ibrahima Diaw.

Considering the YOG as "a major event for our country", the PAD, official sponsor of the event since March 4, 2026, intends "to be there", it said.

In this regard, the PAD invited the various security services to anticipate the actions to be taken through joint planning. "We invited them in this context to present this security planning project," explained Colonel Ibrahima Diaw, specifying that the approach is intended to be "inclusive."

The forces involved are the national police, the national gendarmerie, the fire brigade, and the national navy, which collaborate constantly with the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD). "What we have proposed to these forces is to increase their level of presence at the port of Dakar," emphasized the senior commander of the PAD.

Regarding transit between Dakar and Gorée, Ramatoulaye Ndiaye, the PAD's partnerships manager, noted that a significant number of Youth Olympic Games participants and their companions will be traveling to Gorée. "We expect a strong turnout for this," she explained.

Beyond the athletes and delegations, the PAD is also anticipating the presence of VIPs during the Youth Olympic Games. Ramatoulaye Ndiaye emphasizes the need to take into account "the presence of VIPs and high-ranking national and international figures who will be in our environment."

According to her, these visitors entail "specific requirements in terms of access screening, escort, protection and passenger flow management".

Alongside the security measures, the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) is continuing to digitize ticket sales at the ferry terminal. The measure is "finalized," according to PAD's operations director, Ibrahima Diaw, and should help improve the passenger experience, particularly during the Youth Olympic Games. "We will do everything to make the process easier," he assured.

A total of 2,700 athletes aged 18 and under will participate in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, competing in 25 sports, 10 engagement sports, and 153 events. These young talents will come from 206 National Olympic Committees worldwide. The competitions are scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.