Senegalese-American singer and songwriter Akon has unveiled his plans for building a futuristic super-city inspired by the fictional metropolis of Wakanda that appeared in Black Panther.
As the R&B star revealed, the $6 billion city called Akon City will be built in Mbodiene in his native Senegal where the philanthropist has allegedly already laid the first building block.
According to the 47-year-old rapper, whose net worth is estimated at $80 million, Akon City will be powered by solar energy and will feature a series of movie studios, business centers, hotels, and hospitals.point 552 |
The supercity will also have its own university and a casino.point 51 | 1
The architecture will be complemented by futuristic designs implemented by world-renowned architect Hussein Bakri who will use traditional African sculptures for inspiration.
As Akon admitted, he has long wanted “to build a city” that would serve as a “home back home.”
According to the singer, he “ran into a lot of African-Americans that didn’t really understand their culture” back when he was still living in New Jersey together with his family.
“So I wanted to build a city or a project like this that will give them the motivation to know that there is a home back home,” he added.
As Akon insisted, he had already consulted Mbodiene’s elders about his project and has been given their approval.
“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,” Akon said.
While the singer revealed that the project will cost around $6 billion, he couldn’t reveal the names of his partners and investors due to confidentiality reasons. He also confirmed that the plans are still being discussed.
According to Akon, the building phase of the project is set to start at the beginning of 2021. While the city will originally cover some 135 acres, plans suggest it could grow to 500 acres and reach a population of 300,000 by the end of the decade.
Replaced!