FBNBank Senegal, a subsidiary of First Bank Group, has become the first Official Bank partner of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
A statement by the bank on Sunday said the partnership is aimed at advancing youth development, talent discovery, inclusion and excellence through sports, under the Group’s First@Sports initiative.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will hold from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13 in Senegal.
The games will be the first olympic event to be hosted in Africa.
About 2,700 athletes from at least 200 countries are expected to participate in the games with the theme: “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”.
The bank said the partnership further reinforced its commitment to empowering Africa’s next generation of leaders and champions on the global stage.
Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, said the partnership reflected the bank’s commitment to investing in young people and Africa’s future.
“Young people are the architects of Africa’s future; investing in them is one of the most meaningful ways to securing the prosperity and stability of our continent”.
Alebiosu said the partnership, through First@Sports, would help nurture talents across Africa, promote excellence and provide opportunities for young people to realise their potential.
He said the Games would also promote friendship, respect, teamwork, cultural exchange and international cooperation among young people.
Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, said the partnership followed months of engagement among FirstBank Group, FBNBank Senegal and the committee.
“When Africa calls, it is essential that African actors be the first to respond,” Wade said.
FBNBank Senegal has been involved in the Dakar 2026 project from its early stages, including supporting infrastructure development through financing for the Diamniadio Olympic Village.
The bank is also providing financial services and supporting the Games’ operational banking requirements.
It said it had introduced the “Japandi” programme, which enables athletes and members of the Games committee to open bank accounts free of charge.
FirstBank Group said its youth development initiatives also covered education, entrepreneurship, technology, financial literacy and sports.
The group said through First@Sports, it had continued to support grassroots and elite sports development while creating opportunities for young talents to thrive.
