From 8 to 19 June 2026, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa will host the Tec4Peace Bootcamp 2026 in Thiès, Senegal, bringing together 112 young women and men from 21 countries across West and Central Africa for an immersive learning experience focused on leadership, cybersecurity, peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.  

Out of the 20,200 applications submitted in April, 500 young people were shortlisted and divided into three cohorts. 200 young people were invited to take part in the third cohort of the online training programme. 

Under the theme “Digital Technologies as Catalysts for Peace and Youth Empowerment in West and Central Africa,” the upcoming bootcamp will serve as a platform for a new generation of digital changemakers committed to using technology as a force for peace, resilience, and sustainable development.  

Building on a ten-week virtual training programme, participants will engage in intensive hands-on sessions covering leadership, cybersecurity, digital peacebuilding, social cohesion, personal development, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. They will work alongside experts and mentors from the public and private sectors and collaborate on innovative solutions to address some of the region’s most pressing peace and resilience-related challenges. After the bootcamp, they will also gain access to international cybersecurity certification opportunities. 

Through practical exercises, simulation labs, peer-to-peer learning, and team-based projects, participants will strengthen their capacity to combat online misinformation, prevent digital radicalization, promote inclusive dialogue, and create technology-driven initiatives that foster social cohesion and economic opportunities in their communities.  

As digital transformation continues to reshape the region, the Tec4Peace Bootcamp reflects UNDP’s commitment to equipping young people with the skills, networks, and leadership needed to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and digitally secure future for West and Central Africa. 

📅 Save the Date 

Tec4Peace Bootcamp 2026 
📍 Thiès, Senegal 
🗓️ 8–19 June 2026 
🌍 112 youth leaders from 21 countries across West and Central Africa 

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