Senegal has officially scrapped R&B singer Akon’s grand plan to build a $6 billion smart city along its Atlantic coast, choosing instead a smaller, state-backed tourism project valued at $1.2 billion.
The decision comes amid economic pressures and missed deadlines. In 2020, Senegal gave Akon 136 acres in Mbodiène to create “Akon City,” a futuristic urban center inspired by technology and innovation.
Last August, the government issued a final warning demanding that construction begin on the project or Akon risk losing the land, citing missed payments to Sapco, the state agency responsible for developing coastal and tourism zones.
After little progress, the government has now taken back most of the land originally set aside for the project inspired by Marvel’s fictional Wakanda, according to Bloomberg.
“That project no longer exists,” said Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Sapco-Senegal, in an interview with Senegal’s national press agency.
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The reclaimed land will be used for a more modest development led by Sapco, which plans to invest 665 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) to transform the area into a significant tourism hub.
Sapco expects to raise 600 billion CFA francs from private investors, with the remaining 65 billion CFA francs coming from government funds.
However, Senegal’s recent debt crisis, which revealed $7 billion in previously undisclosed liabilities, may complicate fundraising efforts.
Akon will keep ownership of 8 hectares, which will be part of a larger 500-hectare project managed by Sapco.
Despite the downsizing, officials say the new plan will still bring many benefits.
Sapco estimates the first phase could create about 15,000 jobs, providing much-needed economic boost to Mbodiène and surrounding communities.
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Image Credit: Mixmag
