Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is highlighting the achievements of young innovators participating in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) program during the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, marking Africa’s first hosting of the Olympic Games. These innovators are showcasing solutions designed to address societal challenges within their communities.
Initiated in 2010, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow represents a global corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavor aimed at equipping young individuals with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to tackle local challenges. Through an educational framework and mentorship, students are guided to recognize problems, cultivate ideas, and develop prototype solutions. The global ambassador initiative provides these young minds with a platform to present their innovations on an international stage.
The activities in Dakar extend the collaboration between Samsung and the IOC, focusing on SFT’s Sport & Tech theme alongside the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Impact Programme. Within the context of an Olympic environment where young athletes strive for excellence, the partnership offers young innovators the chance to showcase their ideas, engage in learning experiences, and progress their developmental journeys.
Samsung’s Commitment to Young Innovators
“Our partnership with the IOC at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games set the stage for empowering young people through technology and sport,” stated Eddie Cho, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics. “In Dakar, we see this vision beginning to materialize as ambassadors transition from addressing local issues to sharing their solutions globally. Our continued collaboration with the IOC aims to bolster young individuals in building upon their knowledge, gaining confidence, and effecting positive community change.”
James Macleod, Olympism365 Director at the IOC, commented, “The Youth Olympic Games extend beyond mere competition, representing a learning and growth opportunity for young people rooted in Olympic values such as friendship, respect, and excellence. Alongside Samsung, we are committed to embedding these values into every aspect of young individuals’ lives. This event in Dakar serves as an ideal platform for sharing innovative ideas and fostering creativity, technology, and sport coalescence. We hope participants depart inspired and confident in their potential impact.”
Innovative Solutions from Young Minds at Dakar 2026
At the event, teams from the Solve for Tomorrow program presented their projects. Ela Aksoy from Oilsorb, Türkiye, stated, “Our initiative was born from a desire to address local problems. Through the Solve for Tomorrow program, we gained technical expertise and mentorship, evolving our concept into a viable solution. Demonstrating our project in Dakar fills us with pride.”
Kukhanya Mbebe from Brick Beast, South Africa, shared, “Participating in Dakar’s Solve for Tomorrow event was tremendously enjoyable. Meeting peers from various countries and exchanging project ideas was a highlight, indicating the ease of connection through our shared innovative efforts.”
Solve for Tomorrow Exhibition and Collaborative Learning
Hosted in conjunction with the IOC at the Corniche West Live Site, the SFT exhibition offers visitors insight into the ambassadors’ solutions and their developmental journeys. This interactive forum facilitates discussions on broadening technological impact across diverse needs. The exhibition, a component of a larger dialogue at Dakar 2026, will continue until November 13, 2026.
During the exhibition’s opening, a panel titled “Youth at the Heart of Global Transformation” saw Samsung engage with Senegalese students, emphasizing the SFT program’s objectives of problem-solving through technology and sport. Additionally, ambassadors met with IOC Young Leaders from Kenya and Lebanon to exchange insights on addressing youth-centric social challenges in Africa.
Future Prospects and Continued Support
Samsung’s initial introduction of SFT ambassadors at Paris 2024 laid the groundwork for future collaborative efforts with the IOC, reaffirmed at Milano Cortina 2026. The joint launch of the Solve for Tomorrow Impact Programme in August 2026 aims to support young innovators until January 2028, fostering the development and implementation of community-beneficial ideas.
As Samsung’s Olympic partnership approaches the LA28 Games, the collaboration with the IOC is set to continue, focusing on nurturing young talent through the Sport & Tech theme and the ongoing SFT Impact Program.