NAIROBI

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye told a high-level panel at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday that sport must serve as a direct driver of economic growth and job creation, pointing to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games as proof that the continent can convert athletic ambition into tangible development outcomes.

Faye spoke during the closing session of a panel on Sport and Development held at the University of Nairobi as part of the Africa-France Business Forum.

Kenyan President William Ruto, French President Emmanuel Macron, Botswana President Duma Boko and Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe joined him on the panel.

Faye opened his remarks by declaring Senegal African champions, a statement that drew a standing ovation from the audience.

He framed the continental football title as the foundation of a broader development argument, saying sport carries strong economic potential and requires investment capable of generating sustained growth, jobs and social cohesion.

With five months before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Faye said construction and renovation of sports infrastructure had already created employment for more than 132,000 people.

The games will mark the first time an Olympic event has been hosted on African soil.

A nationwide network of multifunctional community sports grounds is under development to give young people in every municipality space for sport, social interaction and learning.

Senegal has extended an invitation to visitors under the slogan “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates,” ahead of the games scheduled for October.

The Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France on May 11-12 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and the University of Nairobi, brought together more than 30 heads of state and 1,500 business leaders around themes of investment, innovation and Africa-France partnership.