Senegal has officially opened the Diamniadio–Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) section of the Regional Express Train (TER), strengthening the country’s transport network ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The new railway connection is expected to ease the movement of thousands of athletes, officials, delegates and visitors arriving in Senegal for the Games, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
The Diamniadio–AIBD extension, which represents the second phase of the TER project, comprises a 19-kilometre double-track electrified railway line, including a new station at the international airport.
The extension will allow passengers arriving at AIBD to travel by train to Diamniadio, where they can connect to services heading towards Dakar and other Games-related destinations.
According to Ibrahima Wade, Coordinator of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, approximately 30,000 people have been accredited for the event, with about 15,000 expected to arrive from outside Senegal.
The new rail connection is expected to help manage the anticipated increase in passenger traffic, particularly as organizers prioritize efficient transportation for international delegations and other participants.
Train services between Dakar and Diamniadio will operate at eight-minute intervals, while trains on the Diamniadio–AIBD section will run every 24 minutes.
The airport connection forms part of the wider transport infrastructure being prepared for the Games. The Senegalese government had previously set September 27 as the target date for the line to become operational.
Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly will host the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic sporting event to be staged on African soil. The competition is expected to bring together 2,700 athletes aged between 14 and 18, who will compete across 25 sports.
With the extension of the TER to AIBD, Senegal has established a direct rail connection between its main international airport, the capital and the Games’ host areas, providing an additional transport option ahead of the international sporting event.