The TECH Academy, launched by the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ), is a digital skills training program aimed at 18–35-year-olds. Its objectives are clear: to boost employability, bridge the digital divide, and anchor Dakar 2026 within a sustainable legacy.
With just months to go before the first-ever Olympic sporting event held on African soil, digital training is already emerging as one of its most significant long-term contributions. In this context, the Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games has introduced the TECH Academy.
This ambitious initiative aims to train 500 young people in digital professions and information and communication technologies (ICT) before, during, and after the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Open to individuals aged 18 to 35 - students, graduates, young professionals, and digital enthusiasts alike - the program seeks to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in the fast-growing technology sector, both in Senegal and across the African continent.
Training for high-demand careers
The TECH Academy offers courses aligned with international standards and market needs across a range of fields, including digital audiovisual production, IT support (helpdesk), IT solutions integration, artificial intelligence, AI design, big data, cloud platform security, and database management.
Training will be delivered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats to ensure both accessibility and flexibility. The program notably includes a partnership with Alibaba Cloud Computing, the cloud computing arm of the Chinese technology giant, which provides services to businesses and e-commerce platforms worldwide.
Participants will receive recognized certifications upon completion, including the TECH Academy certificate, Alibaba Cloud certifications, and TEC GEN credentials.
High-level technological partnerships
Led by the Technology Department of the COJOJ, the TECH Academy is built on strategic alliances with major institutions such as Deloitte, SONATEL, SENUM SA, ARTP, and SENELEC.
Academic collaborations are also planned with Senegal’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, as well as specialized higher education institutions. These partnerships underpin the program’s pedagogical structure and ensure a level of expertise aligned with international standards.
The TECH Academy is also part of the broader “Sénégal Numérique 2050” strategy, unveiled by the Senegalese government in February 2025. Through the professionalization of a new generation of skilled youth, the program contributes to the country’s broader technological “New Deal.”
The Dakar 2026 Legacy
Beyond training, the TECH Academy represents a strategic talent pool for the Games themselves. Around 50 positions will be available within the COJOJ’s Technology Department, with recruitment expected to draw directly from the academy’s participants. These roles will span from 2025 through November 2026, a critical period for the preparation and staging of the Games.
Youth employability and professional training are central pillars of the Youth Olympic Games’ legacy. The TECH Academy is also targeting an employment rate of at least 60% within 12 months of program completion. By 2030, the initiative aims to train a total of 1,000 young people, with women making up 50% of participants. Among them, 200 qualified volunteers will be mobilized for Dakar 2026.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted exclusively online via the official registration platform. Candidates must create an account and complete their application directly on the site.
Applicants will be required to provide:
- Personal information
- Academic and/or professional background
- A statement of motivation outlining their interest in the program
Application link: https://techacademy-prod.powerappsportals.com/
