FBNBank Senegal, a subsidiary of FirstBank Group, has been confirmed as the first Official Bank Partner of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the bank has announced.
Dakar 2026 runs from 31 October to 13 November and will be the first Olympic event held on African soil, bringing together about 2,700 athletes from more than 200 countries under the theme ‘Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates.’
FirstBank Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Olusegun Alebiosu said the sponsorship, delivered through the bank’s First@Sports initiative, was aimed at nurturing talent across Africa and giving young people a platform to compete on the global stage.
He said: ‘Young people are the architects of Africa’s future. Investing in them is one of the most meaningful ways to secure the prosperity and stability of our continent. As the first Official Bank Partner of the Games, our support for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games through our First@Sports initiative is about nurturing talent across Africa, promoting excellence, and providing a platform that inspires young people to dream big and achieve their full potential.’
Dakar 2026 Organising Committee General Coordinator Ibrahima Wade said the partnership followed months of engagement with FirstBank Group and FBNBank Senegal, adding that African institutions should be first to back the continent’s projects.
FBNBank Senegal has been involved in the Games since their early stages, including financing for the Diamniadio Olympic Village, and is handling banking services for the event’s operations. The bank has also introduced a free banking scheme, ‘Japandi,’ for athletes and Youth Olympic Games committee members.
‘This partnership is the culmination of an approach initiated several months ago, driven by a strong ambition and a clear desire on the part of FirstBank Group and FBNBank Senegal to fully participate in this adventure. When Africa calls, it is essential that African actors be the first to respond,’ he said.
FirstBank Group has run youth-focused programmes in education, entrepreneurship, technology, financial literacy and sport for over a century, through initiatives including First@Sports.