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American R&B singer Akon is moving forward with plans to create a futuristic pan-African city, announcing that construction will begin next year on the US $ 6 billion (NZ $ 8.8 billion) project despite the uncertain future of global tourism. .
Akon, who first announced his idea of the utopian city in 2018, has described it as a “real-life Wakanda”, likening it to the technologically advanced fictional African place portrayed in the smash hit film. Black Panther.
On Monday, Akon said he hoped his project would provide much-needed jobs for Senegalese and also serve as a “home to home” for black Americans and others facing racial injustices.
“The home system treats them unfairly in so many different ways that you can never imagine. And they only go through it because they feel there is no other way, ”he said.
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“So if you come from America or Europe or anywhere else in the diaspora and you feel like you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop.”
Mosa’ab Elshamy / AP
Akon is pushing ahead with his plans to create a futuristic pan-African city.
Akon, who was born in the United States to Senegalese parents, spent much of her childhood in the West African country, where only 44 percent of rural households had electricity even in 2018.
The Senegalese authorities have accepted him as a native son, introducing him by his first name, Aliuane Thiam, and praising him for investing in Africa at a time of such global financial uncertainty.
On Monday, he traveled with government officials to grassy fields in Mbodienne, about 100 kilometers from the capital, where construction has yet to start.
Tourism Minister Alioune Sarr said Akon’s launch comes at a time when private investment is scarce and badly needed. International flights have resumed in Senegal, but at the moment they are only for citizens and residents, with some exceptions.
“Covid-19 has sown doubts everywhere. This means that those who had doubts about the attractiveness of Senegal, and Africa in general, must convince themselves that there are men and women who believe in Africa, ”he said.
Akon said the project has already secured about a third of the $ 6 billion needed, but declined to publicly identify its investors, citing confidentiality agreements. After construction begins in early 2021, the first phase of the project alone could take more than three years, he said.
The almost surreal and water-like designs of the city of Akon were inspired by traditional sculpture forms that were long made in the villages of Africa, he said. However, the gleaming structures of the city of Akon will be made of metal and glass, not wood.
Joel C Ryan / AP
Akon performs during the European MTV Awards in Seville, Spain in November 2019. The singer rose to R&B fame after his 2004 debut album, but has increasingly focused on development projects in Africa in recent years. .
A hotel within the city plans to offer decorated rooms for each of the 54 nations of Africa. However, the project was designed by a Dubai-based architect because Akon said he couldn’t find a suitable one in Africa fast enough. It is also unclear what percentage of the building materials and construction equipment will be sourced locally.
Akon City promises a little bit of everything: a spa, a technology center, recording studios and even an area called “Senewood” that the developers hope will help develop Senegal’s film industry.
The singer acknowledged the comparisons made between Akon City and utopian society in Black Panther, calling it an “honor”.
The plans eventually call for the city of Akon to have its own hospital, police station, and even its own cryptocurrency already called AKoin. Without giving details, the singer also said that he is considering franchising the concept to other countries on the continent.
Akon rose to R&B fame after his debut album in 2004, but in recent years he has increasingly focused on development projects in Africa.
In 2014, he founded Akon Lighting Africa, which supports solar energy projects in rural areas. For him, the inspiration was deeply personal: he discovered that his grandmother still used candles in Senegal to light her home.
“It just doesn’t make sense how 20 years can go by and the condition doesn’t change,” he said in 2016.
In Mbodienne, there is high hope that this project will change lives, even if two-thirds of the necessary funding has not yet been secured.
“We have a lot of hope. Many promised us projects, but we didn’t see anything, ”said the village chief, Michel Diom.
