Senegalese TikTok star Khaby Lame named ambassador for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

The Senegalese TikTokker Khaby Lame has been appointed an ambassador for the upcoming Youth Olympics, set to be staged in Dakar this year.

According to the organizers, Khaby will participate in the event's highlights, notably the Torch Relay, which will arrive in Dakar on September 12.

"This commitment reflects my desire to support young African talent, in sports and far beyond. Dakar 2026 will offer our continent the opportunity to reveal its best and inspire young people in Africa and around the world. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that, beyond its resilience, Africa is also a force. I am proud to be Senegalese, proud to be African, and we will make this first Olympic event in Africa a complete success," the influencer promises.

The content creator, with 160.5 million followers on TikTok, is expected to play an active role in promoting the Games, particularly among young audiences.

Lame will be involved in key moments of the event, such as the YOG Torch Tour across Senegal, and will help strengthen the social and inclusive impact of Dakar 2026, including by facilitating the participation of young people from cities and towns such as Mbacké, where he was born.

This partnership is seen as the latest demonstration of Dakar 2026's ability to engage influential voices on a global scale and embody a powerful ambition:

The Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, will welcome approximately 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under to three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.