R&B singer Akon is moving ahead with his plan to create a real-life Wakanda in Senegal. The futuristic city will be called Akon City and have everything a city needs, even its own cryptocurrency.Akon announced the idea for his utopian city in 2018 and compared it to Black Panther's Wakanda. On Monday, the singer announced construction for the $6 billion city will begin next year, and expressed his hope for the project. He wants Akon City to create jobs for Senegalese people and to establish a "home back home" for African-Americans around the world who may be facing racial injustice and discrimination.
"The system back home treats them unfairly in so many different ways that you can never imagine. And they only go through it because they feel that there is no other way," Akon said. "So if you're coming from America or Europe or elsewhere in the diaspora and you feel that you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop."
The city will be located in Mbodienne, 62 miles outside of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Akon visited the construction site on Monday with government officials, who praised the singer for investing in Africa during the coronavirus pandemic.
"COVID-19 has sown doubt everywhere," said Tourism Minister Alioune Sarr. "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."
Akon has obtained about one-third of the $6 billion estimated to complete his city. Once construction starts in early 2021, it is expected to take more than three years to bring his vision to life. That vision includes water-like designs inspired by traditional sculptures made in African villages, and city structures made of metal and glass.
At the heart of Akon City will be a hotel with rooms decorated to honor the 54 nations of Africa, a tech hub, recording studios and a dedicated area for Senegal’s film industry called Senewood. Just like any other city, Akon City will also have its own hospital and police station, as well as its own cryptocurrency called Akoin.
Akon embraces the idea that Akon City will look like the city of Wakanda from Black Panther, calling it "an honor". The singer has considered franchising the city concept and expanding it to other countries around the world.
Akon launched his singing career in 2004 with his debut album Trouble. Since then he has given back to his community and started many projects in the heart of Africa. In 2014, he developed the project Akon Lighting Africa, which aims to bring solar energy to rural areas of the continent.
(via The Hollywood Reporter)