Alibaba Cloud to provide core digital services for Dakar 2026

31 July 2025 – Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Worldwide Olympic Partner Alibaba, will provide the digital infrastructure for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent.

The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony in Hangzhou, China, with representatives from the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Alibaba Cloud in attendance.

As the official cloud services provider of the IOC, Alibaba Cloud will support the delivery of the YOG with a range of technologies designed to improve operational efficiency and digital engagement. Its Apsara Stack cloud platform will host core services related to planning, logistics, event operations and post-Games activities, forming the foundation of Dakar 2026’s IT systems.

As a result of our ongoing partnership, the integration of Alibaba Cloud’s proven AI and cloud technology into Dakar 2026 exemplifies our shared commitment to making Olympic events more efficient, sustainable and engaging, This collaboration will not only benefit the Youth Olympic Games but also leave a lasting digital legacy for sport in Africa.

Antoine Azokly – Head of Youth Olympic Games Technology and Energy at the IOC

The partnership will also include the deployment of Alibaba Cloud’s digital flame technology, offering an interactive and immersive experience for global audiences. The technology, first seen at the Gangwon 2024 Winter YOG, is part of a broader effort to engage youth and digital audiences around the world.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in bringing world-class digital infrastructure to Africa’s first Olympic event,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “Our proven cloud solutions and AI capabilities will create a technological foundation that ensures seamless operations while delivering innovative experiences for athletes, organisers and fans alike.”

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026 across three host sites – Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly – and are expected to welcome 2,700 young athletes. A total of 35 sports will feature on the YOG programme: 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports.

According to Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, the collaboration with Alibaba Cloud is intended to help ensure smooth Games operations while strengthening the digital capabilities of local organisers.

“As we prepare to host Africa’s first Olympic event, partnering with Alibaba Cloud marks a crucial step in our journey to deliver technologically advanced and seamlessly operated Youth Olympic Games,” said Wade. “The implementation of Alibaba Cloud’s digital technologies across our core services will not only ensure efficient Games operations but also create a lasting technological legacy that will benefit Senegal and the African sporting community long after the Games conclude.”

Since becoming a Worldwide Olympic Partner in 2017, Alibaba has committed to helping the IOC transform the Olympic Games for the digital era, with its support of Dakar 2026 forming part of the IOC’s wider digital transformation strategy, in which cloud-based infrastructure plays an increasing role in improving the efficiency and sustainability of Games delivery.