Singer, Akon launches academy in Africa

Senegalese-American musician, Akon, whose “Akon Lighting Africa’’ initiative is aimed at bringing electricity to some 600 million Africans on Tuesday declared the launch of new “Solar Academy’’.

The academy, according to a statement by the group investing in solar power for the future could help to implant a viable platform to power homes that lacked electricity.

The institution is scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali’s capital.

It would try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power.

European experts will help to supply training equipment and programmes.

“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities.

“We now need to consolidate African expertise,’’ said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang.

“The academy will aim to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems as well as micro-grids,’’ which are really taking off in rural Africa,’’Akon Lighting Africa said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akon is the performing name of the Senegalese-American singer Aliaune Thiam, whose 2004 debut album, Trouble, spawned the hit singles “Locked Up’’ and “Lonely’’.

He is the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam, Akon spent his childhood in the U.S.