Akon's Solar City: Inside The $6 Billion Real-Life Wakanda
Famous Senegalese-American singer, rapper, and songwriter, Akon has grabbed the spotlight with his well-known and ambitious Solar City project. This $6 billion project has been called real-life Wakanda by the singer.
Wakanda is a fictional city from the Marvel comics. It became a popular concept associated with the movement of Afro-futurism with the Black Panther movie, starring Chadwick Boseman. Black Panther's character is a role model for Black people to build a community for themselves and uphold their culture in a global village. In that sense, Akon's people often see him as the real-life equivalent of the hero in the Marvel universe for building Akon city.
Akon has been known for his previous philanthropist projects to safeguard the interests of his fellow Senegalese people. Around 2010, he founded the Confidence Foundation, a charity organization to build schools and hospitals for the Senegalese population. There was also the Light Up Africa project to help his people have access to solar power.
His current $6 billion project, the Akon City, is also designed to be fully solar-powered. It is being built mainly for the African American diaspora; so that the victims of institutional racism can finally have a smart city to call their home.
The architecture caters to the rich cultural heritage of the Senegalese. The lead architect behind this project, Hussein Bakri, has admitted his inspiration from African Sculpture in building the structures of this Megacity.
Although a smart city is supposed to be exclusive in its target to attract a wealthy population, Akon claims that he chiefly dedicates this solar city to the Senegalese locals' well-being. This might not be his first attempt to look after his fellow Senegalese, but it surely is the grandest. To this end, the architecture of Akon City is culturally loaded.
Akon's solar city will not only cater to the locals but also be a hub for tourism. There are seaside resorts, shopping complexes, and various tourist centers that have been built on eco-friendly models. This will also prove to be a big boost for the African economy.
Studies have shown that the rent for availing a luxurious and comfortable accommodation in Akon City is considerably lower than that of Apple city in New York. Thus, Akon City is a dream come true for futuristic, cost-effective, and environment-friendly smart living.
Akon observes that his Solar city is a significant economic investment that the Senegalese deserve. He thinks that the Black people should not have to pine for a smart city as they see other communities building the same for themselves. This mega-city will also help in promoting a more robust economy for the people.
It will create numerous job openings with its rapidly spreading infrastructural divisions. For example, one of the main attractions of this place includes Senewood, Akon City's very own film industry. The future of the Senegalese youth does not look so bleak anymore when considering the great futures they could have as part of this industry.
There will also be an IT sector or a tech hub offering more employment opportunities. It will have its health sector and educational facilities. But Akon's most ambitious move in freeing his people's economy is his project of establishing a digital currency for the inhabitants of Akon City. This cryptocurrency will be known as Akoin.
Although Akon City is an innovative and highly ambitious project to recreate real-life Wakanda, it has also faced considerable criticism from various sources over time. Experts have argued that Akon's ambition to create an independent economy through cryptocurrency, Akoin is not entirely practical. This is because a large part of the Senegalese population is not privileged enough to own smartphones.
Architects and experts have also argued about how Akon did not hire West African architects to construct his dream. The people of West Africa are yet to feel secure about being the backbone of the economy in this Megacity and not just manual laborers. The fears are all related to the equal distribution of jobs in this solar city.
This humongous construction stretches over 100 hectares of land. However, it is known for its dry and warm weather. Criticism has been shot at the kind of architecture used to erect buildings in this place and cater to the atmospheric condition's needs. Despite all criticism, this massive visionary endeavor is deserving of all the glamour and attention it is receiving. Akon also mentioned that this city would be dedicated to the recently deceased Chadwick Boseman by erecting a Black Panther statue as a tribute to the star.
Sources - My Modern Met, The Richest, Showcase
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