After years of setbacks, Akon's ambitious $6 billion Akon City project has been officially abandoned, with plans transitioning to a more feasible development, as announced by Senegal's tourism body.
Akon's Vision for Futuristic City in Senegal Abandoned
Akon's Vision for Futuristic City in Senegal Abandoned
The singer Akon will pivot from his high-tech city dreams to a more practical project in Senegal, sources indicate.
The Akon City vision, initially aimed to transform an 800-hectare site in Mbodiène into a state-of-the-art urban center, has come tumbling down after multiple obstacles plagued its progress. According to Serigne Mamadou Mboup, the head of Senegal's tourism development organization Sapco, the futuristic plans that drew parallels to the fictional Wakanda city from Marvel's Black Panther have been scrapped. Instead, Akon, born Alioune Badara Thiam, is now expected to collaborate on a more pragmatic project that Sapco will support.
The Akon City was first unveiled in 2018 with an estimated cost of $6 billion, powered by the cryptocurrency Akoin, meant to serve as a modern economic framework. However, the site remains largely undeveloped, with only an unfinished reception building in place. Local residents expressed frustration over the stalled project, feeling cheated out of promised job opportunities and community growth.
Moreover, Akon's Akoin cryptocurrency faced its own hurdles, failing to deliver returns for investors and lacking proper management, prompting the artist to take responsibility. Legal concerns arose about whether the crypto could be the primary currency within the project since Senegal’s official currency is the CFA franc, regulated by the Central Bank.
The grand initial vision included various infrastructure blocks such as hospitals, schools, and renewable energy sources to be completed by the end of 2023. However, enthusiasm has waned as significant construction never materialized following a ceremonial launch in 2022.
The Senegalese government now acknowledges the project as stalled indefinitely, attributing the cancellation to insufficient funding and lack of construction activity. Nevertheless, a new, realistic development will be pursued at the same location, particularly in light of upcoming events like the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which may enhance tourism in the region.
As news outlets reflect on this discontinuation, attentiveness will remain on how this new chapter unfolds and what it will mean for both Akon and the Mbodiène community.
The Akon City was first unveiled in 2018 with an estimated cost of $6 billion, powered by the cryptocurrency Akoin, meant to serve as a modern economic framework. However, the site remains largely undeveloped, with only an unfinished reception building in place. Local residents expressed frustration over the stalled project, feeling cheated out of promised job opportunities and community growth.
Moreover, Akon's Akoin cryptocurrency faced its own hurdles, failing to deliver returns for investors and lacking proper management, prompting the artist to take responsibility. Legal concerns arose about whether the crypto could be the primary currency within the project since Senegal’s official currency is the CFA franc, regulated by the Central Bank.
The grand initial vision included various infrastructure blocks such as hospitals, schools, and renewable energy sources to be completed by the end of 2023. However, enthusiasm has waned as significant construction never materialized following a ceremonial launch in 2022.
The Senegalese government now acknowledges the project as stalled indefinitely, attributing the cancellation to insufficient funding and lack of construction activity. Nevertheless, a new, realistic development will be pursued at the same location, particularly in light of upcoming events like the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which may enhance tourism in the region.
As news outlets reflect on this discontinuation, attentiveness will remain on how this new chapter unfolds and what it will mean for both Akon and the Mbodiène community.
