Akon’s Ambitious $6B Smart City Project in Senegal: A Promised Haven for the African Diaspora
Akon may no longer be lonely soon. The renowned R&B singer is moving forward with plans to construct a $6 billion smart city in Senegal where nationals can reside and work, and where members of the African Diaspora are always welcome.
Despite the devastating effects of the pandemic on global tourism, the 47-year-old Senegalese-American singer, known for hits like “Smack That” and “Lonely,” has confirmed that construction on “Akon City” will commence next year. The 2,000-acre megalopolis, which the singer first announced in 2018, will include a sprawling luxury resort, high-rise condos, recording facilities, a stadium, and even its cryptocurrency, “Akoin.”
The oasis is also expected to operate on clean energy—likely provided by the singer’s Akon Lighting Africa, which supports solar energy projects in rural areas—and it includes a data center for artificial intelligence. Naturally, the aesthetic of the new city will be futuristic to match its cutting-edge technology. The city’s dazzling structures have an almost surrealistic quality, according to Bakri & Associates Development Consultants. The images resemble the setting of a Ridley Scott film.
Akon City appears to be more than just a monument to the singer’s ego, save for the repeated moniker. The hub will be located in Senegal, where Akon spent the majority of his childhood before relocating to New Jersey at age 11. The singer told the Associated Press that the initiative aims to stimulate the local economy and create desperately needed jobs for Senegalese citizens. In addition, he envisions the city serving as a “home back home” for African-Americans and other members of the African Diaspora who face racial injustice.
“The system at home abuses them unfairly in innumerable ways that you cannot even fathom. “They only endure it because they believe there is no alternative,” the singer told AP. If you are travelling from the United States, Europe, or elsewhere in the diaspora and wish to visit Africa, Senegal should be your first stop.
Appropriately, Senegalese authorities have praised Akon, whose given name is Aliuane Thiam, for investing in the country in the midst of such economic uncertainty. The singer, whose estimated net worth is $80 million, told the AP that approximately one-third of the required $6 billion has already been raised. He refused to disclose the identities of his investors, citing non-disclosure agreements. However, Business Insider recently reported that Julius Mwale, the Kenyan technology entrepreneur behind the Mwale Medical and Technology City initiative, has also invested $4 billion. If accurate, this contribution would be notable for multiple reasons: Insider reports that Mwale has a history of being prosecuted for allegedly failing to repay debts. And, from a purely mathematical standpoint, it appears that Akon will reach his $6 billion objective or come very close.
Possibly this is why he is so confident that the endeavour will proceed. The singer statesamba construction of the new city will commence in the earliest stages of 2021. He also stated that he is contemplating franchising the concept in other African nations.
A tiny, imaginatively-rich city named after its founder and franchised worldwide? Walt Disney would be delighted.