Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Casamance: Sonatel celebrates the torch relay and promises high-speed internet throughout the South

From Kolda to Ziguinchor, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games torch relay culminated in a spectacular finale at the Aline Sitoé Diatta Stadium. Sonatel, a premium partner of the event, took the opportunity to announce a strategic strengthening of its investments in the South. Between expanding fiber optic infrastructure, adapting the network to the local geography, and supporting the return of displaced populations, the operator reaffirmed its ambition to build a fully connected Casamance.

At the end of a journey that took the Olympic flame through several towns in the Casamance region, Chérif Sall made no secret of his satisfaction. "It's a source of immense pride for us. After Kolda, Sédhiou, Bignona, Oussouye, and now Ziguinchor, we saw mobilized and enthusiastic populations. The entire community resonated with the rhythm of this Olympic flame," he declared.

As a premium partner of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, Sonatel supported each stage of this tour. According to the regional director, this commitment reflects the company's desire to play its full part in the success of the first Olympic event held on the African continent. "We are very proud of this partnership and we will continue to mobilize all the necessary resources to connect the Youth Olympic Games and bring the people even closer to this historic event," he stated.

Beyond the festive aspect, Chérif Sall used this platform to reiterate Sonatel's commitment to developing digital infrastructure in Casamance. He indicated that the three southern regions are already benefiting from a significant fiber optic deployment, while announcing continued investments to further expand coverage. "Our ambition is to build a fully connected Casamance. We are working to extend fiber to all urban areas and to offer innovative solutions for rural communities and the most remote areas," explained the regional manager.

Faced with challenges related to the region's geographical characteristics, particularly dense vegetation that sometimes impacts signal quality, Sonatel intends to adapt its infrastructure. Specific equipment and taller antennas are being considered to improve network coverage.

The regional director also emphasized the importance of connectivity in villages that are gradually returning to their communities after several years marked by insecurity. For him, access to telephone and internet services has become an essential need. "The network has become a basic service, just like water or electricity. We are supporting the return of people to several localities by installing telecommunications infrastructure to improve their living conditions," he stated.

Through this message, Sonatel reaffirms its commitment to being a major player in the economic, social, and digital development of Casamance. Driven by the momentum of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the company intends to continue its investments to ensure that every citizen, from urban centers to the most remote villages, benefits from high-quality connectivity.

For Chérif Sall, the vision remains unchanged: to make Casamance a fully connected territory, capable of taking advantage of digital opportunities while actively participating in the promotion of Senegal through the Youth Olympic Games.