Dakar to Host the 2026 Sport and Development Summit for a Lasting Legacy

As the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games draw near, Dakar is preparing to host the second edition of the Sport and Development Summit on October 30 and 31, 2026. The event will bring together heads of state, leaders of the international sports movement, investors, financial institutions, private sector representatives, athletes, and development organizations to explore the transformative power of sport across Africa. 
 
Held under the theme “Sport and Development: From Olympic Momentum to a Lasting Legacy,” the summit seeks to demonstrate how major sporting events can generate benefits that extend well beyond competition and celebration. Participants will examine how investments in sport can stimulate economic activity, encourage innovation, create jobs, and strengthen social cohesion. 
 
The opening day will feature the Youth, Sport and Business Forum, a dedicated platform designed to connect young leaders, entrepreneurs, business executives, and sports professionals. The forum will explore opportunities within the growing sports economy and future prospects for African youth. 
 
Throughout the summit, experts and decision-makers will address strategic issues related to sports financing, infrastructure development, sports diplomacy, sponsorship, streaming platforms, and sports tourism. Discussions will focus on innovative mechanisms to support sustainable growth across the sector. 
 
A high-level dialogue scheduled on the second day will examine the contribution of sport to Africa’s development and its growing influence on the global stage. Participants will discuss how sport can promote peace, international cooperation, and social inclusion. 
 
Beyond the event itself, the Sport and Development Summit seeks to promote a long-term vision in which sport becomes a catalyst for sustainable development. Organizers aim to transform the momentum generated by major sporting events into lasting economic and social benefits for communities across Africa. 
 
As Africa prepares to welcome its first Olympic event through the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the summit represents a unique opportunity to redefine the role of sport in the continent’s future. By placing sustainability, innovation, and partnerships at the center of its agenda, the event aims to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.