Senegal Collaborates with Alibaba Cloud to Digitally Empower JOJ Dakar 2026 through a $5 Million Infrastructure Investment
Senegal and Alibaba Cloud Partner for Digital Infrastructure at Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
Senegal has formed a strategic partnership with Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of the Chinese tech giant, to provide the digital infrastructure for the Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) Dakar 2026. This partnership aims to leverage the event as a catalyst for digital transformation in Senegal.
The partnership involves an initial investment of $5 million for the deployment of Alibaba Cloud’s hybrid Apsara Stack solution. This solution will locally host data, ensuring compliance with international standards while maintaining Senegalese control over its data.
The partnership is a crucial step in implementing Senegal's New Technological Deal, championed by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. It underscores the deepening technological ties between Senegal and China, following Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's official visit to China in June 2025.
Key details of the collaboration include the training of 200 cloud engineers in Senegal, the establishment of a technology center of excellence, and the development of a national public cloud post-event. The cloud infrastructure is expected to support critical digital services such as ticketing, e-transport, and live broadcasting for the games.
Alibaba Cloud aims to deliver an efficient, secure, and innovative digital experience to athletes, organizers, and spectators, incorporating advanced cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities. This partnership marks the first time a world-class cloud technology provider will support an Olympic event in Africa, reflecting a significant milestone for the continent’s digital transformation through sport.
In addition to the games, the cloud infrastructure is planned to evolve into a national public cloud, underpinning services for both Senegal’s public sector and private enterprises. This extension of the partnership's impact on Senegal’s long-term technological development is expected to be substantial.
The partnership with Alibaba Cloud also includes capacity building, with the training of 1000 young Senegalese talents through the Alibaba Cloud Academy. This initiative is significant and is expected to have a major impact on Senegal's technological infrastructure.
In summary, the Senegal-Alibaba Cloud partnership for Dakar 2026 combines the deployment of cutting-edge cloud technology with local talent development and intends to leave a lasting technological legacy well beyond the event itself. The Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) Dakar 2026 will serve as a platform for innovation, allowing for the deployment of advanced digital services and fostering local expertise.
- The Senegal-Alibaba Cloud collaboration for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 aims to deliver a secure and innovative digital experience using state-of-the-art cloud technology, incorporating advanced cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities.
- The partnership plans to extend its impact on Senegal's long-term technological development beyond the games, with the cloud infrastructure evolving into a national public cloud, supporting services for both the public sector and private enterprises.
- As part of the partnership, Alibaba Cloud will train 200 cloud engineers in Senegal, establish a technology center of excellence, and develop a national public cloud post-event, while also providing capacity building through the Alibaba Cloud Academy, training 1000 young Senegalese talents.
