How is akon doing

We found out we believe in many of the same things, which is social impact, the power to make the world a better place, the rise of Africa, and rising economies generally. Their meeting kicked off a partnership that has culminated in Akon's most ambitious venture to date. Senegal, which has been called West Africa's most stable democracy , boasts miles of Atlantic coastline. In Dakar, the highest building is feet tall.

Akon Tower, on the other hand — the proposed centerpiece of Akon City — would stand at nearly feet, making it the tallest building in Senegal by far.

The highway from the capital to Akon's planned metropolis runs right along the coast at times and veers inland at others, passing through a smattering of villages. Physically, Karas envisions the city as a "hyperdrive" version of various world-famous cities: a mix of the Barcelona coastline in Spain with the futuristic-looking skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and a bit of New York City's Madison Square Garden thrown in for good measure.

There will be an oceanfront boardwalk with restaurants, hotels, and condos, he said. And don't forget the office buildings, parks, schools, hospital, and sports stadium. Renderings of the city show gleaming structures that twist and curve without a single sharp edge in sight. Some social-media users have chimed in to say that Akon Tower resembles a sex toy. Among those are a lightweight steel and glass that generate energy.

A transportation system will run both aboveground and underwater, Bakri said. The city will be powered entirely by Akoin, Akon said. The cryptocurrency's white paper points to a report that estimated Africa would have million mobile-phone users by — about half the population.

Akoin, which Akon said could be used with either "a smartphone or a dumb phone," will allow users to convert their unused prepaid mobile minutes to Akoin.

Akoin can also be converted into government-issued currency outside Africa, as well as other established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, he said. Paul Martin, KE International's project manager for Akon City, talked about using advanced tech — blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the like — for job growth. Akon echoed the sentiment: "We want to empower all the young entrepreneurs with the tools to be able to fuel their businesses.

Akon's smart-city project has been years in the making, but has been the year that the dream has begun to take shape. One key step in moving plans for Akon City forward was getting the backing of the Senegalese government, which Karas said was a "multiyear process. Akon told Business Insider Senegal's president and minister of tourism have been the main government entities involved in the project so far but that other ministers would come on board later.

Business Insider made multiple attempts to reach both the president and the minister of tourism but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Previous reports that the president gifted Akon the 2,acre plot of land for the city were incorrect, Karas said. According to Karas, Akon wrote "a seven-figure check" to option the land. Karas said he could not provide documentation verifying the land deal because it was confidential. Karas confirmed to Business Insider that Mwale — who is the only named financier of Akon City so far — was the lead investor.

Mwale is a benefactor with a mysterious past and a history of being sued over allegations that he didn't pay his debts. Wen tori pipo ask am if Ugandans go fit afford to live for Akon City wey go get futuristic shopping malls, stadiums and recreational facilities like its sister city, Akon answer say: "I know say if I build am dem go find way to afford am, because e go motivate dem.

He add join say "wen you create opportunity, pipo go grow wit that opportunity, people go learn wit that opportunity, people go dey motivated wit that opportunity.

Di construction of Akon City Uganda dey scheduled to complete for For , di music star bin announce say im wan build "crypto city" for Senegal wey im call "real-life Wakanda". He say just like di fictional land of Wakanda for di Marvel's Black Panther feem, Akon promise say im city go get "futuristic environment.

For im website, Akon say di President of Senegal dash am 2, acres of land to take build di city wey im go name afta himself. Wetin we call dis foto, Akon announce similar project for Senegal. The glittering vision is a far cry from the existing sleepy hamlet of Mbodiene, about kilometres 60 miles south of the capital, where pigs roll in the muck and donkeys amble along the road.

Locals interviewed by AFP said they knew little about Akon City, nor why construction had been delayed. The ceremonial stone was laid on August 31 and construction was scheduled to begin early this year. A hospital, school, shopping mall, homes, police station, waste centre and solar power plant are supposed to be completed in -- and the whole city by Speaking on an untarmacked road as horned cattle grazed behind him, year-old student Ahmeth Deme wondered whether the project had been cancelled.

Badara Diakhate, the deputy mayor of the local commune, said he was unaware of the exact reason for the delay but that "people want things to get going. He welcomed investment in the village and said that delays were common, especially given the pandemic.

The pomp and size the project elicited scepticism in Senegal at first, where developers and politicians often tout the merits of pet building works. Give the Gift of Luxury. Access Exclusive Content All Year. RR One Subscribe. By Rachel Cormack. Rachel Cormack Rachel Cormack. Read More On: Africa Sustainability.