Akon (akon.com), An illustration of Akon's futuristic city in Senegal (Hussein Bakri/BAD Consultant/Semer Group)Senegal’s government has scrapped Akon‘s $6 billion project to build a futuristic city, inspired by Marvel’s Wakanda, in the country. The ambitious plan has officially come to an end.
Akon’s futuristic city project on Senegal’s Atlantic coast has been abandoned after years of delays and minimal progress, despite initial hype as a symbol of pan-African innovation. A viral video starkly contrasts the original vision with the current state of undeveloped land.
Akon City, announced in 2020, was envisioned as a large-scale, tech-powered smart city spanning 136 acres in Mbodiene, Senegal.
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The farming village of Mbodiene, south of Dakar, was cleared to make way for Akon City, a planned smart city inspired by Marvel’s Wakanda. The city was envisioned with eco-friendly infrastructure, a crypto-based currency, and modern facilities.
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However, years after its announcement, the project has been abandoned, with only one building completed. Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of SAPCO-Senegal, confirmed the project’s demise, stating: “That project no longer exists.”
The Senegalese government has opted for a more modest, privately funded tourism project led by SAPCO, replacing Akon’s abandoned city plan. This shift comes amid economic strain and missed commitments from Akon’s team.
Akon had received a final warning last August to begin construction or risk losing the land due to defaulted payments owed to SAPCO. With no significant development occurring, the government has reclaimed most of the site.
The revised plan involves a $1.2 billion investment to transform the area into a major tourism destination. Of this, $1.1 billion (600 billion CFA francs) is expected from private investors, while the state will contribute around $118 million (65 billion CFA francs). However, Senegal’s ongoing debt crisis may pose challenges in attracting investors.
Akon will retain only 8 hectares of the original site, which will be incorporated into a larger 500-hectare government-backed development. The revised project aims to transform the area into a major tourism destination.
Despite the changes, SAPCO officials believe the project will still bring significant benefits, estimating that the first phase could create around 15,000 jobs. This is expected to provide a much-needed economic boost to the Mbodiène region.
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