Senegal and Alibaba Cloud have announced a significant strategic partnership, poised to equip the upcoming Youth Olympic Games JOJ Dakar 2026 with a secure and high-performing cloud infrastructure. This landmark agreement, with an initial investment of 5 million, marks a crucial step in implementing the New Technological Deal championed by Senegals President, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The partnership follows closely on the heels of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonkos official visit to China in June 2025, underscoring the deepening technological ties between the two nations.
This ambitious project is integral to Senegals vision for digital sovereignty, built upon three key pillars. First, it focuses on developing local cloud infrastructure through the deployment of Apsara Stack, a hybrid cloud solution from Alibaba Cloud. This deployment aims to ensure compliance with international standards while crucially maintaining Senegalese control over its data. Second, the partnership emphasizes inclusion and skills transfer, committing to the training of 200 cloud engineers and the establishment of a Technology Excellence Center, in collaboration with Senegal Digital SA SENUM and the local private sector. Third, the JOJ 2026 will serve as a platform for innovation, allowing for the deployment of advanced digital services such as ticketing, e-transportation, and real-time broadcasting platforms. It will also offer a unique opportunity for Senegals vibrant startup ecosystem to develop and deploy local applications specifically tailored for the Games needs and the benefit of citizens.
Beyond the immediate requirements of JOJ Dakar 2026, the partnership is designed with a long-term vision. It includes a post-event transition plan to establish a national public cloud, which will serve as a foundational digital resource to support both the public and private sectors in Senegal and the wider sub-region. This comprehensive approach exemplifies the strengthening cooperation between China and Senegal, with technical teams from both countries working in synergy. This includes establishing operational technical support on-site in Dakar, combining Alibabas global expertise with local Senegalese talent. Additionally, a significant initiative will see the training of 1000 young Senegalese talents through the Alibaba Cloud Academy.
This strategic alliance represents an immediate technological leap for Senegal, promising the creation of skilled jobs and the provision of efficient digital services by the time of JOJ Dakar 2026. Fundamentally, it lays the groundwork for a sustainable digital economy, fostering local expertise and establishing a sovereign digital infrastructure that will benefit future generations of Senegalese citizens.
