The Senegalese-American singer and songwriter Akon presented his plans to create a futuristic and green city, named "Akon City", at a press conference in a hotel in Dakar.
"As you come in from America, or Europe or anywhere in the diaspora, and you feel like you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop," he told reporters.
The singer who first announced his idea for the utopian city back in 2018, has described it as a “real-life Wakanda," comparing it to the technologically advanced fictional African place portrayed in the blockbuster film “Black Panther.”
Akon said the construction of the city would start as early as next year adding, he hoped the project would provide jobs for the Senegalese citizen and serve as a “home back home” for Black Americans.
“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 in the press conference.
Akon city designs were inspired by the shapes of traditional sculptures long made in Africa's villages, he said.
However the gleaming structures of Akon City will be made of metal and glass, not wood.
According to the singer, the project has already secured about one-third of the $6 billion needed, declining to publicize the identity of his investors.
After construction begins in early 2021, the first phase of the project alone could take more than three years, he said.
The blueprint of Akon city shows that the project will have a seaside resort, a tech hub, recording studios and even a zone dubbed “Senewood” which developers hope will help develop Senegal’s film industry.
The city will also have its own cryptocurrency, already named AKoin.#s63 #Akon #Africa #Dakar #Innovative #news #features #featurereporting
