When global music star Akon announced plans to build a $6 billion smart city in his native Senegal back in 2020, it captured the world’s attention. Promising a futuristic, crypto-powered utopia called Akon City, the project was envisioned as a high-tech hub filled with eco-friendly skyscrapers, solar-powered infrastructure, and a digital economy based on the artist’s own cryptocurrency, Akoin.
But now, years later, with little visible progress on the ground, many are wondering—how realistic is Akon City, and will it ever become the groundbreaking metropolis it was pitched to be?
The Vision: A “Wakanda” of the Real World
Akon described his city as an African answer to futuristic ideals—a place where innovation, opportunity, and cultural pride would thrive. The city was to be built near Mbodiene, a coastal village about 100 km from Dakar, and include:
- A state-of-the-art hospital
- A smart police station
- A tech hub
- Luxury residences and resorts
- A university
- An airport
- A business district run on blockchain and Akoin
The aim? To create jobs, empower locals, and offer an alternative to the economic struggles often seen in West Africa.
Progress or Pipe Dream?
As of 2025, very little construction has been completed on the Akon City site. Reports suggest the land remains mostly undeveloped. Locals have confirmed that apart from a ceremonial stone laying and some roads being cleared, no major infrastructure exists.
Funding has also been an issue. While Akon claimed the money was secured through private investors, public records and on-the-ground developments tell a different story. Senegalese officials have expressed support but have not allocated significant state funds to the project.
There are concerns that the timeline—initially planning for completion by 2030—is overly ambitious or even unrealistic given the current pace and lack of transparency.
Can It Still Happen?
In theory, the idea of a futuristic African city is not far-fetched. Projects like Eko Atlantic in Nigeria and Konza Technopolis in Kenya show that such visions can take shape with the right mix of funding, governance, and long-term planning.
Akon City, however, faces additional hurdles:
- Dependency on cryptocurrency: With Akoin failing to gain significant adoption and the broader crypto market facing volatility, the financial foundation appears shaky.
- Project management: There’s limited clarity on who exactly is in charge of execution and how the project is being coordinated on the ground.
- Public skepticism: As time passes without progress, the project is increasingly seen by many as symbolic or even speculative rather than transformational.
Conclusion: A Dream Deferred?
Akon’s ambition to empower Africa through technology and innovation is undeniably commendable. The continent needs bold, visionary projects—but those visions must be paired with practical execution, transparency, and community engagement.
As of now, Akon City remains more of an idea than a city. Whether it will rise from the sands of Senegal to become a symbol of African modernity—or fade into memory as another grand promise—is still uncertain.
But if anything is clear, it’s that the dream of an African tech future still lives on—even if Akon City might not be the place where it starts.
