Official document · Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference 2026
Thiaroye brings together the suburbs and all of Senegal around technological innovation. A local forum for innovation, youth, digital skills, tech education and entrepreneurship.
Prepared by the General Coordination · Initiatives 221 × MOOBETA
Background & rationale
Why Banlieue Smart Days in 2026?
Senegal's digital transformation is accelerating. Peri-urban areas and the suburbs must have full access to the tools, training, networks and opportunities this momentum creates.
The suburbs of Dakar are home to a young, creative and entrepreneurial population. Banlieue Smart Days, led by Initiatives 221 and MOOBETA, brings a platform for discovery, training, exhibition, dialogue and innovation right into these communities.
1.1New Technological Deal
The 2026 edition contributes to spreading digital culture, encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies and building the skills of tomorrow's economy.
1.2Building on the 2025 edition
500+ people trained or made aware in 2025. 2026 goal: ~1,000 participants in Thiaroye.
Overview
Nature, vision and objectives of the forum.
2.1Nature
A two-day local forum combining a technology exhibition, hands-on workshops, panels, demonstrations, career guidance, networking, an innovation competition and public/private mobilization.
2.2Vision
To make Thiaroye and Senegal's suburbs places recognized for innovation, training, excellence, entrepreneurship and employability.
2.3Overall objective
To foster the emergence of a generation of young tech leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.
2.4Specific objectives
- Raise awareness of and train people in emerging technologies
- Offer immersive workshops (AI, robotics, drones, cybersecurity)
- Build bridges between school ↔ employment ↔ entrepreneurship
- Bring young people, institutions, companies & startups together
- Showcase Thiaroye as a place of innovation
- Spot talent through Banlieue Smart Genius
Format, dates & audiences
Where, when and for whom.
- Dates
- December 12 & 13, 2026
- Venue
- Thiaroye, Département de Pikine
- Duration
- Two (2) days
- Attendance
- ~1,000 people
3.1Target audiences
- Middle & high school pupils
- Students & graduates
- Young entrepreneurs
- Job seekers
- Teachers & trainers
- Startups & tech companies
- Universities & schools
- Institutions & local authorities
- Incubators
- Associations & media
3.2Target scale
~1,000 participants and an exhibition village of 25 to 50 exhibitors.
Themes & components
The topics covered and the forum's spaces.
4.1Priority themes
- Artificial intelligence
- Robotics
- Drones & new technologies
- Cybersecurity
- Web & mobile development
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Technology education
- Jobs & careers of the future
- Digital inclusion
- Local innovation · Smart City
- Startups & incubation
4.2Main components
- Official ceremony
- Speeches, institutional opening, partner addresses and a tour of the stands.
- Exhibition village
- 25 to 50 exhibitors: startups, companies, schools, training centers, institutions, incubators and youth projects.
- Panels & talks
- AI, employment, innovation, education, future careers, transformation of local areas.
- Hands-on workshops
- AI, robotics, drones, cybersecurity, coding, digital creation, entrepreneurship.
- Guidance & careers area
- Careers, training programs, certifications, internships, jobs and opportunities.
- Demonstrations
- Technologies, prototypes, robots, drones and digital solutions.
Banlieue Smart Genius 2026
The flagship competition, open to school pupils, students and young entrepreneurs.
5.1Projects we are looking for
- Tech projects by school pupils or students
- Digital solutions with a local or social impact
- Innovative business ideas
- Prototypes, apps, AI, robotics, IoT
- Projects in education, employment, environment, mobility, local services
5.2Process
- 01 Call for applications
- 02 Outreach to schools & organizations
- 03 Scientific pre-selection
- 04 Coaching of finalists
- 05 Expert jury
- 06 Grand final & awards ceremony
5.3Prizes
- Cash prizes
- Equipment & technology
- Training & certifications
- Mentoring & internships
- Incubation opportunities
Governance & organization
Who steers the project, and how.
6.1General Coordination
Steering, monitoring of the committees, information flow and implementation of decisions.
6.2Working committees
- Coordination
- Scientific & Smart Genius
- Partnerships & Sponsorship
- Communication, Press & Media
- Logistics
- Finance & Budget
- Outreach & Community Relations
- Protocol & Institutional Relations
- Organization
6.3Scientific Committee
A central role: themes, selection of speakers, workshops, training, design and assessment of Banlieue Smart Genius. Particular attention is paid to teacher training and to lasting ties with educational institutions.
Partnerships
Co-created by Initiatives 221, MOOBETA and the wider ecosystem.
7.1Partners we are seeking
- Ministries & public institutions
- Local authorities
- Tech companies & telecom operators
- Banks & financial institutions
- Startups & incubators
- Universities, high schools, schools
- Embassies & international organizations
- Media & communication platforms
- Technical & financial partners
7.2Education partnership
Stronger outreach to schools in Thiaroye, Pikine and the wider suburbs. The aim: to identify talent and ensure continuity beyond the two days.
7.3What we expect from partners
- Institutional support
- Venues & facilitation
- Financial or in-kind support
- Technology & teaching equipment
- Speakers, trainers, experts
- Prizes for Banlieue Smart Genius
- Communication & outreach
Logistics & communication
Venue, equipment and outreach.
8.1Venue & logistics
- Space for ~1,000 participants
- Area for 25 to 50 stands
- Rooms for panels and workshops
- Sound system, microphones, screens, projectors
- Internet and suitable power supply
- Chairs, tables, tents, signage
- Security, hygiene, accessibility
- Catering & transport
8.2Communication & outreach
A gradual ramp-up from September to December 2026: social media, press, schools, community networks, posters and direct outreach.
- Visual identity
- Instagram & Facebook
- Press & media
- Schools & universities
- Around Smart Genius
- Sponsors & partners
- Photo/video
Expected results
Target indicators and intended impact.
- Participants
- ~1,000
- Awareness, training, mobilization
- Exhibitors
- 25 to 50
- Connections with companies and opportunities
- People trained
- More than in 2025
- Practical skills
- Institutions
- Multiple schools & universities
- Roots in education
- Smart Genius projects
- Selected finalists
- Talent spotting
- Partners
- Public, private, technical, financial
- Long-term sustainability
- Media coverage
- Press, digital, photo, video
- Visibility for Thiaroye
9.1Intended impact
Better knowledge of future careers, access to professional networks, recognition of local talent, new education partnerships and a better image of the suburbs as a place of innovation.
Roadmap
August → December 2026
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August
Team relaunch, committees, approval of the Thiaroye focus and operational preparation.
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September
Confirmation of the venue and institutional partners, Scientific Committee, partnership pack and budget.
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October In progress
Communication launch, Smart Genius call for applications, outreach to schools and exhibitors.
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November
Selection of finalists, confirmation of speakers and partners, finalization of the program and logistics.
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December
Final communication push, set-up, coordination, Banlieue Smart Days and the Banlieue Smart Genius final.
10.1Monitoring
Each committee has a lead, a list of members, objectives, deadlines and simple reporting to the General Coordination.
Conclusion & contacts
Thiaroye welcomes the suburbs and all of Senegal.
Banlieue Smart Days 2026 aims to make Thiaroye a meeting point for youth, innovation, education, institutions and business: making emerging technologies accessible, sparking vocations and creating real opportunities.