's eponymous city project, envisioned as a $6 billion futuristic metropolis in , , now faces a critical ultimatum. The Senegalese government issued an ultimatum to the singer-entrepreneur to commence substantial construction work or risk losing the majority of the land allocated for the project. has reached out to the Senegalese government and a representative for Akon via email for comment.
Akon's father was born in Senegal and Akon spent a lot of time there as a child. In 2020, the "Locked Up" singer announced plans to build Akon City, a high-tech, eco-friendly urban center inspired by Wakanda from Marvel's Black Panther. The Senegalese government granted him 136 acres on the Atlantic Coast to develop the city.
The project promised to feature condominiums, amusement parks, a seaside resort, hospitals, a police station, a university, and infrastructure powered by solar energy and Akoin cryptocurrency. The goal was to transform the rural area 60 miles south of Dakar into a modern, vibrant city that would attract businesses, create jobs, and boost the local economy. However, four years later, the site remains undeveloped, with only a single arched concrete block marking the project's foundation.
As of now, the construction site is primarily used for grazing livestock, with no significant progress in sight. Sapco-Senegal, the state-owned entity responsible for coastal and tourism development, has issued a formal notice to Akon, demanding the commencement of construction or the .
