Visa said it will strengthen its engagement in Senegal through the opening of a new office in Dakar by the end of 2026 and through its sponsorship of the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, scheduled for 31 October to 13 November 2026.
In a statement announcing the plans, Visa described a program under the platform โVisa at Dakar 2026: Powering the Payment Experienceโ, aimed at supporting digital payment acceptance and a โseamless payment experienceโ for athletes, fans and visitors. The company said it will work with its members and partners on merchant engagement and initiatives in Dakar and Saly connected to the Games.
Visa also said it will bring its Worldwide Olympic Partnership into a locally focused programme designed, according to the company, to create โpractical valueโ before, during and beyond the event. The announcement states that Dakar 2026 is expected to welcome around 2,700 young athletes from around the world and is described by Visa as the first Olympic sporting event held on African soil.
New Dakar office to support partners and digital payments
Alongside the sponsorship, Visa said it plans to open a new Dakar office by the end of 2026. The office, according to the statement, is intended to support Visa partner institutions in Senegal and bring the company closer to clients, regulators, merchants, fintechs and other partners involved in digital payments and inclusive economic growth.
Fan zones and payment acceptance efforts
Visa said it will expand secure, convenient digital payment acceptance for visitors and local communities through its Dakar 2026 sponsorship and related activations. The company added that it will establish two fan zones, in Dakar and Saly, to support payment acceptance and to strengthen visibility for the โVisa Accepted Hereโ programme.
In its remarks, Visa linked the move to a longer-term goal of increasing broader digital payment acceptance and supporting stronger local commerce beyond the Games.
Company background
Visa, which says it is a world leader in digital payments, stated that it facilitates transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories.
Visa said it has partnered with the Olympic Movement since 1986 and is a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games through 2032.
