Akon building a real-life Wakanda in Senegal worth $6B
Akon's version of Wakanda will feature districts for healthcare, luxury homes and education
R&B singer Akon doesn’t want Wakanda to just be a fictional place in the blockbuster movie Black Panther. He wants to build one in real life in Senegal worth $6B.
Akon, born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, put his resolve into action by laying the first stone on the coast on Senegal on Monday, CNN reports. He was “honored” to have the vision and spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony attended by Alioune Sarr, Senegal’s minister for tourism, and other government officials.
“We are looking at Akon City to become the beginning of Africa’s future,” Akon said. “Our idea is to build a futuristic city that incorporates all the latest technologies, cryptocurrencies, and also the future of how African society should become in the future.”
Akon further added that Akon City would offer a “home back home” to Black Americans who have been reckoning with racism, especially in the past few months. The Black Lives Matter movement has been rejuvenated following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
“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,” he 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.”
Sarr also highlighted that Akon City showed the strength of the region even as the novel coronavirus pandemic has raged on.
“COVID-19 has sown doubt 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.
The futuristic city will have districts that focus on health care, education, healthcare, entertainment, and luxury homes according to Akon City’s official website. There will also be a brand new international airport. The lofty initiative that will take three years to be completed was made possible through anonymous investors.
The land on which Akon City is being built was gifted to the singer and he finalized the deal in January.
“Looking forward to hosting you there in the future,” he tweeted.
Akon’s commitment and reverence for Africa have long been at the forefront. He is the founder of Akon Lighting Power which provides solar power to 14 African countries. In 2013, Akon announced his desire to make the continent on par with the United States.
“I really want to make the biggest impact in Africa for sure,” Akon in an interview with CNN back then. “If I could have my way, Africa would be the United States of Africa.”
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