The 500 million FCFA earmarked by the Sénégal Solidaire Foundation to purchase 200,000 tickets for the Dakar-2026 Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) did not originate from the state budget, according to the ruling Kiiraay party. This clarification comes in response to public questioning regarding the funds intended to allow disadvantaged youth to attend the competitions. Kiiraay states the money was raised through international donors, businesses, and philanthropists, clarifying that the contribution wasn’t directly taken from public resources. The party explains this fundraising aligns with the operational model of the First Lady Marie Khone Faye’s foundation. Sénégal Solidaire actively sought external partners to secure the necessary funds for its youth-focused initiative. Kiiraay emphasizes that the 500 million FCFA represents approximately 3% of the overall budget for the Dakar-2026 JOJ, framing it as a small portion of the event's total financing; the state remains responsible for organizing the JOJ, while the foundation focuses on resource mobilization.