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‘Upping the Levels’: Akon Finalizes Agreement to Build His Own City in the West African Country of Senegal

“The real-life Wakanda.”

Those are the words that Akon used a couple of years ago to describe a city that he’s building in his home country of Senegal, located in West Africa. Then on Monday, Jan. 13, the singer revealed that he completed the final steps to go forward with the city.

Akon said the paperwork to start building his own city in Senegal has been finalized. (Photo: Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)

“Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal,” wrote Akon next to an Instagram photo of himself holding a document. “Looking forward to hosting you there in the future.”

Two thousand acres of land were given to Akon by Senegal President Macky Sall some time ago. The 46-year-old crooner has also called his future town “Crypto City,” named after his own cryptocurrency called Akoin.

Akon started something called the “Lighting Africa Initiative” as well, which he began talking about a few years ago. He said it’s a project that will bring electricity to 600 million people throughout the African continent by use of solar power.

As for Akon City, the singer recently told Nick Cannon that it should be functioning in 10 years time.

“It’s all renewable,” said Akon in November during an interview on Power 106. “[It’s] A real physical place, it’s going to have a real airport. It’s a 10-year building block so we’re doing it in stages. We started construction in March and stage two is going to be 2025.”

Under Akon’s recent Instagram post, his followers said they can’t wait to visit the new city when it’s done, and others said they’d like to be citizens. But for the most part, people conveyed how blown away they are by what Akon is doing.

“You guys out there getting sneaker deals and this dude just got a city deal! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 talk about upping the levels,” one person wrote.

“Wow thats a major achievement, good for you my man. You once again have made the history books 🙌🏼,” another stated.

“I can not wait to visit, hopefully I can be among the first!!👏🙌🏾,” wrote someone else.

“Congratulations @akon 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾may we all follow in your foot steps one day🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾❤️❤️❤️👑👑👑💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾😎😎🎥🎥📸📸💥💥🥳🥳❤️❤️,” another person commented.

@akon/Instagram
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