R&B Singer Akon Builds A ‘Real-Life’ Wakanda In Senegal Worth $6 Billion

Award-winning R&B singer Akon has big plans under his sleeve to bring “futuristic” vibes to the African country of Senegal.

Akon, also known as Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, is working to build a real-life version of Wakanda to the city. Wakanda is the high-tech nation shown in Marvel’s movie Black Panther.

On Monday (August 31), the singer laid the first stone for the new area, named Akon City. It will be located in Mbodiene park, about 62 miles from Dakar, the country's capital city. The construction of the city is expected to start in 2021.

"We are looking at Akon city to become the beginning of Africa's future," he said at a ceremony. "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."

According to the new upcoming city’s official website, the solar-powered city will have healthcare facilities, offices, luxury houses, shopping malls, skyscrapers, and eco-friendly tourist centers. It will also be located five minutes away from the country's new international airport.

The singer, who spent his early childhood in Senegal before leaving for New Jersey at the age of seven, said Akon City would create job opportunities for Senegalese people. It will also serve as an alternative destination for African Americans facing discrimination in the United States.

"I wanted to build a city or a project like this that would give them (African Americans) the motivation to know that there is a home back home. The system back home (in the U.S.) treats them unfairly in so many different ways that you can never imagine and they only go through it because they feel like there is no other way," Akon explained.

Senegalese President Macky Sall donated 2,000 acres of land to Akon for him to build the city. The singer also said he raised part of the $6 billion required to do so through unnamed investors.

Akon City also has plans to trade specifically in its own digital cash currency (cryptocurrency), called Akoin.

Akoin is tied to cellphone minutes and relies on the use of smartphones, unlike other cryptocurrencies. According to the singer, most people in Africa trust their cellphone companies more than their local currency.

"We want to be able to kill corruption through blockchain itself and I think starting with currency, it is the biggest thing. The main thing they (Africans) will be able to gain is independence and I think being in the position to make your own financial decisions is key," the singer said.

He also added that his hope is for Senegal to be the go-to tourist destination in Africa as a result of Akon city. "As you are coming from America or Europe, anywhere in the diaspora and you feel that you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop," Akon stated.

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