*Akon’s vision to build a $6 billion futuristic city in Senegal has come to a halt. The Senegalese government confirmed that the ambitious project, which once promised to create a high-tech utopia powered by renewable energy and cryptocurrency, will be replaced by a more grounded development.
According to The Daily Mail, the plan, originally revealed in 2018 by the Grammy-nominated singer—born Alioune Badara Thiam—aimed to transform 800 hectares near the village of Mbodiène into a city inspired by the fictional African metropolis Wakanda from Marvel’s “Black Panther.” The city was to feature a hospital, mall, police station, waste center, school, solar plant, and even its own cryptocurrency, Akoin.
Despite grand announcements and futuristic renderings, progress on Akon City has been virtually nonexistent. As of mid-2025, only a partially constructed reception building stands on the vast site—no roads, no homes, and no infrastructure in sight.
“KE International awarded US $6 Billion construction contract for Akon City,” the singer wrote in 2020, celebrating the partnership with the consulting firm. That same year, KE International claimed in a press release it had secured the massive contract, with Phase 1 set for completion by the end of 2023.
However, construction never materialized. Even Akoin, the digital currency intended to fuel the economy of the smart city, has collapsed in value, leaving investors in limbo.
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Regulatory skepticism further complicated matters. Senegal uses the CFA franc, which is regulated by the Central Bank of West African States. Like most central banks, this institution resists the adoption of cryptocurrency as legal tender, per The Daily Mail.
In 2022, Akon declared the project was “100,000% moving.” But drone footage from recent months showed only untouched grassland. Now, with Senegal preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, authorities are shifting focus toward more practical tourism infrastructure.
While no details of the new plan have been released, officials have indicated the revised project will be far more achievable and less reliant on speculative technology and funding.
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