Preparations for the TerangaSkills national final in Senegal

Senegal will host the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), which will take place in the Dakar–Diamniadio–Saly corridor from 31 October to 13 November 2026. Beyond the sporting and cultural aspects of this international event, the Government of Senegal aims to use the Dakar 2026 YOG as a catalyst to strengthen vocational and technical training, in line with the legacy promoted by the Olympic Movement.

To this end, the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training (MEFPT) has launched the National Skills Competition, TerangaSkills.

Mohamed FAYE, a plumbing graduate from Joal (Thiès), during a tutorial session with Mafal FALL, a plumbing trainer at the Thiès Vocational Training Centre (CEP)

A multi-stakeholder partnership working for young people

The TerangaSkills competition is co-funded by the European Union, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and forms part of the ‘FIT! Senegal Initiative’ project. It is run by 3FPT, with the support of LuxDev and in collaboration with the technical partners GRET, ENDA, Le Partenariat and Ucoopia. Together, these organisations coordinate the competition’s activities across Senegal’s fourteen regions.

to highlight the value of young people’s careers and skills

TerangaSkills aims to raise the profile of vocational and technical training centres (EFPT) by promoting the specialisms, skills and careers with a future in Senegal.

Against this backdrop, Ucoopia organised the regional rounds of the competition in the Thiès, Kaolack and Kaffrine regions between October and November 2025, with the support of local authorities. In total, 74 young people aged between 15 and 29 took part in the competitions across seven trades:

  • Plumbing;
  • Woodwork;
  • Metalwork;
  • Electricity;
  • Sewing;
  • Kitchen;
  • Processing of agri-food products (TPA).
Awa TOURE, candidate in the field of dressmaking, representing the Kaffrine region

On the way to the national final

Following the three regional finals, 15 winners — five from each region — were selected to represent their region in the national final.

It will take place on 19 and 20 June 2026 at the Senegal International Foreign Trade Centre (CICES) in Dakar.

Before that date, each winner receives personalised support from a coach to strengthen their technical and mental preparation.