After years of anticipation and delays, the long-promised Akon City ambition—originally envisioned to cost $6 billion and run on a new cryptocurrency—has been set aside, as confirmed by Senegal's tourism development body, Sapco, with ongoing challenges impacting the project's execution.
Akon's Ambitious $6 Billion City Project in Senegal is Abandoned
Akon's Ambitious $6 Billion City Project in Senegal is Abandoned
Plans for Akon City, a futuristic development in Senegal led by the singer Akon, have been officially scrapped, state officials confirm, shifting focus towards a more plausible project.
The ambitious Akon City project, initially announced in 2018 with futuristic designs likened to Marvel's Wakanda, is now a canceled venture. Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Senegal's Sapco, revealed that the project has been shelved and will now pivot to a more feasible development plan. Although the lavish concept aimed to redefine urban living with eco-friendly designs and run entirely on renewable energy, the site in Mbodiène, south of Dakar, remains largely undeveloped, with only an incomplete reception building standing.
Local communities had high hopes for economic revitalization through jobs and investment in their region. One resident expressed frustration, stating, "We were promised jobs and development. Instead, nothing has changed." The original overview for Akon City included phase one features such as a hospital, shopping mall, school, police station, waste center, and solar power plant, all projected for completion by the end of 2023. However, substantial construction efforts failed to materialize, leading officials to finally concede that the grand plans had stalled for good.
The setback was attributed to insufficient funding, halted construction efforts, and troubling concerns regarding the legality of using Akoin—Akon’s cryptocurrency—as a payment method, as Senegal's financial regulations remain firmly aligned against cryptocurrencies. This element of the project raised questions from both regulators and investors regarding its overall feasibility.
While the vast area destined for Akon City holds substantial strategic value, particularly with the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games and growing tourism prospects, the Senegalese government aims to collaborate with Akon on more pragmatic development solutions. As the initial vision fades, communities eagerly await developments that genuinely address local needs and opportunities in the region.
Local communities had high hopes for economic revitalization through jobs and investment in their region. One resident expressed frustration, stating, "We were promised jobs and development. Instead, nothing has changed." The original overview for Akon City included phase one features such as a hospital, shopping mall, school, police station, waste center, and solar power plant, all projected for completion by the end of 2023. However, substantial construction efforts failed to materialize, leading officials to finally concede that the grand plans had stalled for good.
The setback was attributed to insufficient funding, halted construction efforts, and troubling concerns regarding the legality of using Akoin—Akon’s cryptocurrency—as a payment method, as Senegal's financial regulations remain firmly aligned against cryptocurrencies. This element of the project raised questions from both regulators and investors regarding its overall feasibility.
While the vast area destined for Akon City holds substantial strategic value, particularly with the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games and growing tourism prospects, the Senegalese government aims to collaborate with Akon on more pragmatic development solutions. As the initial vision fades, communities eagerly await developments that genuinely address local needs and opportunities in the region.
