R&B singer Akon to build $6B ‘real life Wakanda’

R&B singer Akon is spearheading the construction of a $6B mega city inspired by Wakanda, the futuristic hi-tech nation portrayed in the Marvel movie Black Panther.

According to reports by CNN and Fox News, Akon attended the groundbreaking of the mega project earlier this week. Dubbed as ‘Akon City’ the upcoming metropolis will be located in Mbodienne, 100 kilometers away from Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam in real life, Akon was born in Senegal before moving to Union City, New Jersey, USA at age 7.

Akon first announced the idea of building Akon City back in 2018, comparing it to the technologically advanced nation of Wakanda, the fictional kingdom ruled by the Black Panther.

According to the project’s official website, the solar powered city will host several districts featuring shopping malls, sky scrapers, luxury condos, office parks, healthcare facilities, eco-friendly tourist attractions, a hospital, as well as a seaside resort and technology hub.

According to the singer, Akon City will trade exclusively in its own digital cryptocurrency called Akoin.

Akon revealed that one-third of the $6B needed to fund the project has already been raised. The singer/entrepreneur refused to publicly name the identities of investors because of non-disclosure agreements.

Construction of Akon City is scheduled to begin in 2021 within the 2,000-acre parcel of coastal land gifted to Akon by Senegalese President Macky Sall. It may take three more years to finish Phase One of the project, according to the singer.