Samsung Electronics and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are spotlighting young innovators from Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) programme at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, the first Olympic Games to be held in Africa. The innovators are sharing solutions they have developed to address social challenges in their communities.
Launched in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow is Samsung’s global corporate social responsibility (CSR) program for young people, helping them use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to address challenges in their communities. Through education and mentoring, students learn to identify problems, develop ideas, and build and refine prototypes. The global ambassador initiative gives them opportunities to present their work internationally.
The activities in Dakar build on Samsung and the IOC’s collaboration on SFT’s Sport & Tech theme and their joint delivery of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Impact Programme. On an Olympic stage where young athletes challenge themselves and grow, the two organizations are giving young innovators an opportunity to present their ideas, learn from others and take the next steps in their development.
“The commitment we made together with the IOC at Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games was a promise to give young people opportunities to discover what they can achieve through technology and sport,” said Eddie Cho, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics. “In Dakar, that promise starts to take shape. The ambassadors began by tackling problems in their schools and neighborhoods; now they are sharing their solutions with the world. We will continue this collaboration with the IOC to help young people build on what they learn, gain confidence and make a greater difference in their communities.”
“The Youth Olympic Games are about much more than competition. They are an opportunity for young people to challenge themselves, learn from one another and experience the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence,” said James Macleod, Olympism365 Director, IOC. “Together with Samsung, we are committed to supporting young people take that spirit beyond the field of play and into their everyday lives and communities. Bringing Solve for Tomorrow ambassadors together with the youth in Dakar is a wonderful opportunity for them to share their ideas, learn from each other and see what is possible when creativity, technology and sport come together. We hope they leave Dakar inspired by one another, with new connections and even greater confidence in their ability to make a positive difference.”
Three Solve for Tomorrow Teams Experience Dakar 2026
“We wanted to do something about the problems we saw around us,” said Ela Aksoy of Oilsorb, Türkiye. “Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, we learned technical skills and worked with mentors to keep improving our idea until it became a working solution. We are proud to demonstrate what we have built in Dakar.”
“Taking part in Solve for Tomorrow in Dakar has been such a fun experience,” said Kukhanya Mbebe of Brick Beast, South Africa. “I really enjoyed meeting students from different countries, hearing about their projects and sharing our own experiences. My favourite part was getting to know the other students and exchanging ideas. We came from different places, but it was easy to connect through our projects.”
“We want to use the feedback we receive here to develop technology that can help more people,” said Ela Aksoy. “I’m taking home new ideas and great memories from Dakar,” said Kukhanya Mbebe.
Solve for Tomorrow Exhibition at Dakar 2026
At the SFT exhibition, organized in cooperation with the IOC at the Corniche West Live Site, visitors could explore the SFT ambassadors’ solutions and hear about the challenges they faced and how they refined their ideas. By discussing their work and exchanging feedback with people from different backgrounds, these young people can consider how their technology might serve a wider range of needs. The exhibition is part of a wider conversation and shared learning experience at Dakar 2026. The exhibition is scheduled to run through November 13, 2026.
During the exhibition opening, through the panel discussion “Youth at the Heart of Global Transformation”, Samsung shared with the Senegalese students the SFT programme’s objectives to encourage young people to solve problems through technology and sport, highlighting how young people can use sport and the Olympic spirit in taking on challenges and working together in everyday life.
As part of the programme the ambassadors also met with IOC Young Leaders from Kenya and Lebanon for a knowledge exchange workshop with focus on social challenges of young people in Africa. SFT students who have used technology to tackle local problems will exchange experiences with IOC Young Leaders who have used sport to bring about change in their communities.
After the workshop, the students have also visited the “Olympic Social Impact” booth, presented by IOC Young Leaders, in the Youth Olympic Village to learn about athlete experience engagement.
From Paris to LA, Supporting the Next Steps for Young Innovators
Samsung and the IOC first introduced SFT ambassadors at Paris 2024 and affirmed their shared commitment to developing future talent at Milano Cortina 2026 and beyond. In August 2026, they jointly launched the Solve for Tomorrow Impact Programme to support young innovators in developing their ideas and putting them to use in their communities and this programme will run until end of January 2028.
As the Samsung’s Olympic partnership continues toward the LA28 Games, Samsung and the IOC plan to sustain their collaboration on SFT’s Sport & Tech theme and the SFT Impact Program.
