DAKAR, Senegal — Preparations for the 3rd Edition of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports (50MIA) Summit & Awards have reached a significant milestone following a series of major announcements by Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) ahead of the continental gathering scheduled for November 5–7, 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.
Organized in partnership with SENEGEL, G100 Sports, and the Women Sport Africa Network (WSAN), this year’s summit will take place alongside the historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games—the first Olympic event ever hosted on African soil. Held under the theme “Rooted To Rise: Advancing Women’s Sport in Africa — From Policy to Legacy,” the summit is expected to convene an influential network of government officials, Olympic leaders, athletes, coaches, sports administrators, business executives, investors, academics, journalists, entrepreneurs and development partners committed to shaping the future of women’s sport across the continent.
A major highlight of the latest announcement is the confirmation of Sen Hotel Saly as the Official Hospitality Partner for the 2026 event. Situated in Senegal’s renowned coastal town of Saly, the hotel will host delegates, speakers, media representatives, sponsors and invited guests throughout the summit. ASVG has also secured discounted accommodation rates exclusively for registered participants, with hotel reservations officially opening on July 27, 2026 through the event’s official website, www.50mia.com.
With Dakar expected to welcome thousands of visitors during the Youth Olympic Games, organizers have encouraged participants to secure accommodation early, as bookings will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The organizers have also unveiled the inaugural 50MIA Sports Expo, a new addition designed to connect organizations and businesses operating across the African sports ecosystem. The exhibition will provide a platform for sports federations, National Olympic Committees, educational institutions, technology companies, healthcare providers, tourism agencies, financial institutions, media organizations, NGOs, manufacturers and startups to showcase their products, services and innovations.
Exhibitor booth reservations will also open on July 27, with limited exhibition spaces available.
Another key milestone is the opening of nominations for the 2026 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards, which will commence on July 31, 2026, in celebration of Pan-African Women’s Day. Organizers say the date reflects the awards’ commitment to recognizing the women whose leadership continues to transform sport across Africa and the global African diaspora. The awards will recognize excellence across a wide range of categories, including sports leadership and governance, athlete performance, coaching, officiating, sports media and journalism, sports business and marketing, sports science and innovation, community development, and global diaspora impact. The prestigious Rising Star Award and the Fatma Samoura Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented during the gala dinner on November 7.
Beyond celebrating individual achievements, the 50MIA Summit continues to position itself as a strategic platform for policy dialogue, institutional development, investment, networking and collaboration aimed at accelerating the growth of women’s sport throughout Africa. As Dakar prepares to welcome the continent and the world, the 2026 edition promises to further elevate African women in sport while leveraging the global spotlight of the Youth Olympic Games to inspire the next generation of leaders.
With accommodation bookings, Sports Expo registrations and award nominations set to open over the coming weeks, momentum continues to build for what is expected to be one of Africa’s most influential gatherings dedicated to women in sport.
