Dakar 2026 brings third Cyber Games to Saint-Louis

Dakar 2026 has taken its cyber and youth-development programme beyond the capital, with Saint-Louis hosting the third edition of the Cyber Games during the national Flame Tour on Saturday, 3 October 2026. The event at the Institut français linked digital skills development with the build-up to the Youth Olympic Games.

The competition drew 450 registrations, with about 200 selected participants taking part. Competitors travelled from Saint-Louis, Dakar, Thiès and Louga for technical challenges, demonstrations and other activities. Almost 1,000 guests attended the competition and the cultural programme held during the day.

Ethical hacker Gaël Musquet led a masterclass focused on cybersecurity, ethical hacking and wider digital issues. The Olympic flame was also presented at the venue before continuing to the Senegal River, where it was lit near the Faidherbe Bridge. The ceremony included music, cultural performances and an artistic procession.

The Saint-Louis stop forms part of the D26 Cyber Legacy Program, which aims to train more than 1,500 young people in cybersecurity by 2027. Organised with support from Check Point, the initiative is intended to build national operational expertise and develop Senegalese talent capable of protecting the country’s digital space. The move to Saint-Louis reflects Dakar 2026’s plan to bring its programmes to young people across Senegal.