« Un joyau national » : Le constat d'Alpha Thiam lors de sa visite d'inspection au King Fahd Palace
With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) approaching, the government is accelerating the monitoring of hosting infrastructure. This Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, Mr. Alpha Thiam, visited the King Fahd Palace complex to inspect the modernization work undertaken at this flagship of the Senegalese hotel industry.
Accompanied by the National Commission for the Approval and Classification of Tourist Accommodation Establishments, the Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Tourism Promotion (ASPT), the Director General of the Agency for the Promotion and Development of Handicrafts (APDA), as well as several directors from his department, the minister was welcomed on site by the President-CEO of the hotel, Mr. Mamadou Racine Sy, and by the members of FOPITS.
A five-star hotel and a national heritage site, the King Fahd Palace is undergoing a comprehensive renovation project, directed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. This project, launched after an inspection in April and a follow-up mission in August 2026, aims to meet the international standards of the Olympic Games. "The King Fahd Palace is a national treasure. Its renovation will be one of the legacies of the Youth Olympic Games," the Minister emphasized during his visit.
The satisfaction was noted, and delivery was scheduled for October 26th.
At the end of his inspection, Alpha Thiam expressed his satisfaction with the adherence to technical specifications and recommendations made by his department. "It is with great satisfaction that I note that the majority of directives and recommendations have been implemented by the hotel management, and that the identified problems have been resolved," he stated. The hotel management has committed to completing all remaining work and delivering all amenities by October 26, 2026.
The minister also expressed his delight at the emphasis placed on local creativity and expertise at the heart of the renovation project. The furnishings were designed by the artisan Aïcha Dione, while the complex's corridors were adorned with works by the painter Ousmane Ndiaye Dago. "Culture is the soul of Senegal; it must be reflected in our tourist establishments. This is the synergy between Culture, Crafts, and Tourism that our Ministry champions," the minister stated.
A strategic link for major international events
With 380 rooms and suites, including 25 presidential suites, the capacity to simultaneously accommodate 24 heads of state, and 65 meeting rooms, the King Fahd Palace occupies a pivotal position in the Youth Olympic Games accommodation arrangements. The minister reiterated that the modernization of these facilities reinforces Senegal's place at the heart of major global events, as evidenced by its selection to host the 11th Francophonie Games in 2031.
For his part, the hotel's CEO, Mamadou Racine Sy, said he was honored by the renewed confidence shown by the State of Senegal, which chose the establishment to accommodate fifteen heads of state and their delegations. "All the hotel teams are mobilized to offer our guests a quality stay. All arrangements have already been made for an optimal welcome and an excellent stay for the 177 Youth Olympic Games guests who will be accommodated at the King Fahd Palace. Security, hygiene, and comfort will be guaranteed," he assured.
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