Cape Town, 2 November 2026 – The SanlamAllianz Group is the Official Insurance Partner of the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, taking place in Senegal from 31 October to 13 November 2026. Bringing together the world’s top young athletes, this edition will mark a historic milestone as the first Olympic sporting event ever held on African soil.
Dakar 2026 is driven by a clear ambition: to take the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 to every corner of the world while positioning it as a catalyst for transformation on the African continent. To this end, Senegal was officially selected as host of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games during the 133rd Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 8 October 2018.
Hennie Nel, CEO of SanlamAllianz, said: “As the Official Insurer and Sponsor of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, SanlamAllianz is proud to support a generation of young Africans who dare to dream, challenge themselves and shape the future.
This partnership reflects our commitment to being the partner that helps Africa’s youth protect their dreams and unlock their potential.”
He added: “By bringing together young people from across the continent, these Games celebrate the diversity, shared ambition and collective progress that will help shape Africa’s future.
We believe in the potential of the next generation, and we are committed to help build a future filled with opportunity, security and confidence.”
For Dakar 2026, 25 sports will feature in the official competition programme, while 10 additional disciplines will be part of a dedicated engagement programme designed to spark interest and promote sport among young people in the host country and across the region.
A total of 153 events will be held, ensuring full gender parity, with 72 events for women, 72 for men and 7 mixed events.
For the first time in the history of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, complete gender parity will be achieved (approximately 2,700 athletes) across all sports, disciplines and events.
Another historic milestone: for the first time, the Games will welcome a refugee team composed of athletes selected from across the African continent.