Akon's plan to build a futuristic city in the African nation of Senegal have been scrapped after years of delays.
According to a report BBC published on Friday, July 4, the Senegalese government confirmed the project has been stalled indefinitely due to significant setbacks in construction and funding. Akon originally announced his plan to build Akon City in 2018. His goal was to construct a Wakanda-like eco-friendly metropolis with advanced skyscrapers and high-tech businesses that would've run on the artist's cryptocurrency, Akoin. Unfortunately, the project, which would've costed $6 billion, is no longer moving forward.
"The Akon City project no longer exists," said Serigne Mamadou Mboup, who's the the head of Senegal's tourism development body, Sapco. "Fortunately, an agreement has been reached between Sapco and the entrepreneur Alioune Badara Thiam [aka Akon]. What he's preparing with us is a realistic project, which Sapco will fully support."
Akon made headlines seven years ago when he first announced his plans to build Akon City on the 1977-acre land of Mbodiène, which is located by Senegal's Atlantic coast nearly 60 miles south of the capital, Dakar. Phase one of the project included roads, a school, a police station, a hospital, a shopping mall, a hotel, a waste center, and a solar plant that was supposed to be completed by 2023.
The deadline came and went without much development in the area except for an unfinished welcome building. No roads, power grids or homes have been constructed. In addition, Akoin has also come into question over the legality of using the artist's cryptocurrency as official payment for potential residents. Akoin has also reportedly struggled to pay back investors over the years. Akon said he takes "full responsibility" for the financial debacle.
"It wasn't being managed properly - I take full responsibility for that," Akon told BBC in 2022.
All hope isn't lost though. Akon is still working with the Senegalese government to develop a more practical plan to develop a city in the same site. As of this report, a timeline for their new plans has not been revealed.