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Senegal Gives Akon Deadline To Build $6 Billion ‘Akon City’

By Odunmorayo Oke

02 August 2024   |   7:09 pm

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Senegal has formally notified Singer Akon, that he must start construction on his ambitious $6 billion "Akon City" project, or risk losing 90% of the land granted to him for the development. Akon, the American-Senegalese R&B star, first laid the foundation stone for his planned metropolis four years ago on 136 acres of Atlantic coastline…

Senegal has formally notified Singer Akon, that he must start construction on his ambitious $6 billion “Akon City” project, or risk losing 90% of the land granted to him for the development.

Akon, the American-Senegalese R&B star, first laid the foundation stone for his planned metropolis four years ago on 136 acres of Atlantic coastline granted to him by the Senegalese government in 2020.

Initial plan for Akon city

Envisioned as a real-life Wakanda inspired by the fictional country in the Black Panther films, Akon City was to feature condominiums, amusement parks, a seaside resort, innovative technology and infrastructure. They were all to be powered by solar energy and Akon’s cryptocurrency, Akoin.

However, progress on the project has stalled, with only a single concrete block standing in the otherwise empty field where Akon City was meant to be built.

Authorities at Sapco-Senegal, the state entity overseeing coastal development, have become impatient with the delays and lack of progress.

“Sapco-Senegal has given Akon formal notice to start work on his project or the government will take back 90% of the land granted to him,” said Serigne Mboup, the general manager of Sapco-Senegal, in an email. The notice came after the singer reportedly missed several payments to the agency.

Akon’s spokesperson declined to comment. A member of his staff claimed they were unaware of the notice when reached by phone. Sapco also declined to provide further details.

The lack of progress in Akon City has frustrated residents, who were promised jobs, infrastructure like hospitals and universities, and economic development in the large region.

What people had to say

“Akon City would bring employment for our youth,” said Michel Diome, the village chief of Mbodiene, a city in Senegal. “We would finally have a hospital and even a university.”

However, those promised benefits have yet to materialise. Beyond the promises of building a youth center, basketball court, and visitor information center. Akon has not delivered on any of the futuristic plans he promised in 2020. Additionally, Akoin, the cryptocurrency meant to be used by the city, is also hardly traded, if at all.

Lawmaker Bara Gaye has even called Akon City “a scandal” in Senegal’s parliament. He questioned what the government is waiting for to end the contract with the singer.

Despite the delays and controversies, some local construction firms claim work is progressing, with geotechnical studies, land clearing, and wildlife surveys underway. Akon is also expected to visit Senegal’s capital Dakar in the coming weeks to reassure partners of the project.

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However, the village chief Diome admitted that his hopes for Akon’s transformative plans are dwindling. “We’re still waiting,” he said.

With the Senegalese government now setting a deadline, the future of Akon’s $6 billion futuristic city is almost uncertain.