The Rise and Fall of Akon City – A New Dream Begin What was once envisioned as Africa’s very own Wakanda has now shifted toward a more grounded reality. The grand $6 billion dream of Akon City, a futuristic metropolis in Senegal, has officially been shelved. But this isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a new chapter.
The Vision That Was
Senegalese-American artist and entrepreneur Akon—real name Alioune Badara Thiam—initially teamed up with Senegal’s tourism development authority to bring Akon City to life. The plan was ambitious: a city powered by renewable energy and cryptocurrency, featuring sleek skyscrapers, tech hubs, and futuristic infrastructure.
Phase one alone was set to include:
A hospital
- Shopping center
- Police station
- School
- Waste treatment facility
- Solar energy plant
- All of this was meant to be complete by the end of 2023.
The Reality on the Ground
Years later, the 800-hectare site in Mbodiène remains largely untouched. Apart from a single unfinished reception building, there’s no road system, no power grid, and no signs of the promised transformation.
“We were promised jobs and development,” said one disappointed local resident. “Instead, nothing has changed.”
A major stumbling block was Ako
cryptocurrency meant to power the entire city. The digital currency faced regulatory pushback, struggled with financial management, and never gained the legal approval needed in Senegal’s CFA franc–based economy.
Akon himself admitted:
“It wasn’t being managed properly—I take full responsibility.”
Despite the collapse of the original project, hope is not lost. Senegal’s tourism development authority, SAPCO, has confirmed that a new, more realistic partnership with Akon is underway. This time, the goal is to develop something achievable—better aligned with Senegal’s economic landscape and infrastructure.
With the 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, there’s a renewed push to boost local development and attract global attention. What Do You Think?