00:00Senegal is currently hosting Africa's first Olympic event as citizens battle costs of living crisis.
00:07The 1026 Dakar Youth Olympics are bringing Africa's first Olympic event to Senegal,
00:12but for many residents the exaltment is overshadowed by rising living costs and lost livelihoods.
00:18Some say preparation for the Games have disrupted their livelihoods,
00:22while others question whether the money being spent could have been used to address more pressing needs.
00:27When we hear about the sums of money flowing into Senegal to organize these Games,
00:31the general population and especially those of us in informal sector, we are not the priority,
00:36despite we should have been helped.
00:39But Senegal's cost of living crisis remains a pressing concern.
00:43Youth unemployment is around 23% and many young people who are working rely on informal sector.
00:49Some say the money should have been used to lower living costs and improve purchasing power.
00:53In terms of spending, these expenses are neither mandatory nor essential for the Senegalese people,
01:00who believe these funds could have been better spent elsewhere,
01:03for instance on lowering the cost of living and boosting the purchasing power of the average citizen.
01:09The Senegalese government has committed about $60 million to the event,
01:14including a $20 million for sport venue renovation.
01:18With Senegal facing a debt crisis, many families are still struggling to make ends meet.
01:26There are too many problems. We have too many worries in the family.
01:31Even though this is a very important event, we are dealing with issues of our own that aren't being resolved.
01:40Most people here really don't care about this event because there are so many problems in Senegal,
01:46from the cost of food to the basic realities of life.
01:50The Games are hosting around 2,700 athletes in Dakar and nearby cities and run through November 13.
01:58Officials say they will create opportunities for young people through learning and volunteer programs.
02:03The Games
