Dakar urban development projects advance ahead of 2026 Youth Olympic Games
via SeneNews3 min read
Dakar is undergoing extensive urban development in preparation for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Mayor Abass Fall recently inspected several public road and space development sites, aiming to modernize the Senegalese capital into a leading global and African metropolis. The municipality is focusing on safety and mobility, with over 5 linear kilometers and 50,000 square meters of public spaces being developed across several communes. Key projects include the Gueule Tapée boulevard, covering 15,900 square meters, which involves demolishing unauthorized structures, rehabilitating sanitation systems, and treating canal areas. This project also includes a bike path, sports equipment, playgrounds, and public benches. Major roadworks are underway on the axis from the Khalifa Ababacar Sall Dialysis Center to the JVC roundabout, a 1,100-meter stretch designed to ease traffic congestion and complement the Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure. Another significant project is the rehabilitation of the 1,120-meter road between the Mariama building and the Sacré-Cœur field, an area with high traffic and commercial activity. Additionally, the VDN near Saint-Lazare Cemetery is being improved, benefiting five neighborhoods. Mayor Fall expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting that 5 kilometers of roads and 50,000 square meters of surfaces have been developed. He plans to continue this momentum, increasing investment across all nineteen communes of the capital, with upcoming meetings schedul
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Doune Pathé Mbengue, 44, has been appointed Director General of the Autonomous Port of Dakar PAD, succeeding Waly Diouf Bodian. This appointment, made by presidential decree signed by Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, places Mbengue at the helm of a key economic infrastructure for Senegal. An experienced civil administrator, Mbengue was trained at the Université Gaston Berger UGB and the École nationale d’administration ENA. He holds a DEUG, a Bachelor's, and a Master's in legal sciences, specializing in public law. His career includes roles at the Ministry of Mines and Industry, and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning. From 2014 to 2025, he worked at the Ministry of Interior and Public Security, leading the Analysis and Foresight Division and then the Partnership and NGOs Directorate. He also holds two Master's degrees in Macroeconomics and Administrative Management, and in Defense, Security, and Peace. Mbengue, who was born in 1982, is also the current mayor of Cambérène, elected in 2022. His appointment to the PAD is seen as a recognition of his extensive background in public administration and his expertise in public management, macroeconomics, and financial security. He is tasked with bringing a new dynamic of performance and transparency to the Dakar port hub while maintaining economic sovereignty.
Must ReadGambia has strongly condemned the demolition of a military fence at its Bulock camp by Senegalese soldiers, labeling the act as "provocative" and carried out without prior consultation. Banjul has initiated diplomatic efforts, urging calm despite expressing "deep concern." Senegal, however, states that the intervention is related to long-standing discussions regarding encroachments affecting its territorial integrity. Both capitals emphasize their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the border dispute.
Must ReadThe Idrissa Pouye General Hospital in Grand Yoff, Dakar, has become the first institution in West Africa to implant leadless pacemakers. This marks a significant advancement in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders and aims to strengthen the skills of African cardiologists. A mission to implant these innovative devices was organized in Dakar, providing seven patients with the technology free of charge. Senegalese cardiologists are also undergoing certification to perform these procedures independently. Professor Adama Kane, an interventional rhythmologist and research professor at Gaston-Berger University, explained that the initiative began with training African cardiologists on cardiac stimulation. Cardiologists from five African countries were trained before the clinical mission commenced. Professor Kane highlighted that the leadless pacemaker is a small, 33-millimeter capsule inserted directly into the heart via veins under radiological control, eliminating the need for surgical opening, leads, or a casing. This technique reduces complications associated with traditional pacemakers, improves patient comfort, and has an estimated lifespan of 20 years. French colleagues are present to support and certify the Senegalese team, ensuring a transfer of skills. Senegal aims to become a sub-regional reference in this field. While the technology is costly, the devices for the seven initial patients were provided free. The long-term challenge is to make this treatment accessible t