Dakar 2026

Journalists and media at Dakar 2026: practical guide

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SIM cards, coworking, batteries, travel between Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, heat and neighborhoods: a practical guide for journalists and content creators covering Dakar 2026.

Journalists and media at Dakar 2026: practical guide

Heading to Senegal to cover the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, from 31 October to 13 November, as a reporter, photographer or content creator? Here is what you need to work smoothly. For accreditation, schedules and venue access, rely only on the organizing committee's official website or app.

SIM cards, mobile data and money

Your first errand after landing: a local SIM card. Operators sell them in their branches and through small resellers; bring your passport. Expect a few hundred to 1,000 FCFA for the SIM, then from 1,000 FCFA for a few gigabytes to 10,000 or 20,000 FCFA for a month of heavy use. Keep a second SIM from another operator as backup: 4G is solid in the city, patchier on some beaches.

Visa is the most widely accepted foreign card (hotels, supermarkets, malls), yet FCFA cash remains essential for taxis and small shops; ATMs are the easiest source. Yango and Heetch are paid in cash or via Wave and Orange Money, not by card, and those wallets require a Senegalese SIM and ID. Exchange offices are mostly at the airport and in central Dakar.

Reliable internet and coworking spaces

Hotel wifi is fine for email, rarely for exporting 4K footage. A coworking space offers a steadier connection, sockets, air conditioning and quiet for editing or video interviews. Most are in Plateau, Almadies, Point E and Mermoz. Day passes usually run 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA, less by the week. You can browse the professional services listed in Dakar before you even fly in.

Keeping batteries charged and gear safe

A short outage mid-export can happen. Pack:

  • one or two high-capacity power banks, recharged every night;
  • a power strip and adapters (type C and E sockets, 220 V);
  • spare memory cards and a backup drive;
  • silica gel packs and a sand cover, a must in Saly.

Getting between Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly

Events are split between Dakar (Tour de l'Œuf, Iba Mar Diop in Médina, Corniche Ouest), Diamniadio (Dakar Arena, Exhibition Centre, equestrian centre, Stade Abdoulaye Wade) and Saly (west beach).

For Diamniadio, the TER regional express train is your best bet. It leaves from Dakar station in Plateau and stops at Colobane, Hann, Pikine, Rufisque and Bargny among others. Almadies, Ngor and Guédiawaye are not on the line, so take a taxi to a station. Saly is about 80 km away, roughly 1 h 15 to 2 h on the toll motorway. Covering several days of beach events? Stay locally. For any media transport, check with the organizing committee.

Working in the heat and picking a neighborhood

Late October is still hot and humid, often above 30 °C. Drink often, wear a hat, shade your screens and take breaks out of the sun.

Where to stay:

  • Plateau: next to the TER station, handy for Diamniadio.
  • Point E, Mermoz, Sacré-Cœur: central, quieter areas, well placed for Médina and Tour de l'Œuf.
  • Almadies, Ngor, Ouakam: seafront with plenty of services, but further from the TER.

Emergencies: police 17, fire brigade 18, SAMU ambulance 1515.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

Looking for more places to work? See all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

Frequently asked questions

How do I get media accreditation for Dakar 2026?

Accreditation is handled solely by the organizing committee. Check its official website or app.

Which SIM card should I use to upload video from Dakar?

A local SIM bought with your passport plus a generous data bundle is the cheapest option.

How do I get from Dakar to Diamniadio to cover events?

The TER runs from Dakar station in Plateau to Diamniadio. If you are staying in Almadies, Ngor or Yoff, take a taxi to a station first.