Akon’s futuristic $6bn Senegalese city project abandoned

Futuristic Senegalese city concept replaced with new plans.

A visionary plan to build a $6bn city in Senegal, spearheaded by musician Akon, has officially been abandoned. Instead, authorities say the singer is now collaborating on a more pragmatic initiative. According to Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Senegal’s tourism development agency, Sapco, the Akon City project is no longer going ahead.

An agreement has now been reached between Akon and Sapco for a fresh, more attainable venture that will have the agency’s full support. Akon, who rose to fame in the early 2000s and has roots in Senegal despite being born in the US, originally proposed two linked initiatives in 2018. These included the development of a state-of-the-art city named Akon City and the introduction of a digital currency called Akoin to support it.

The early concept of Akon City attracted attention worldwide due to its futuristic design, with some likening its architecture to the fictional African utopia of Wakanda from Marvel’s Black Panther. The development was supposed to span 800 hectares near the coastal town of Mbodiène, located approximately 100 kilometres from Senegal’s capital, Dakar.

Despite high expectations and extensive publicity, tangible progress has been limited. The only visible structure at the proposed site remains an unfinished reception building. Infrastructure such as roads, energy systems, and housing are notably absent. Disappointed locals, who were hopeful about new employment opportunities and regional growth, say they have witnessed no meaningful change.

Akoin, the cryptocurrency intended to fuel the city’s economy, has also faced significant challenges. Akon himself has publicly admitted that its management fell short and has taken responsibility for its financial struggles. Additionally, there were concerns over the legality of introducing a private currency in Senegal, which currently operates using the CFA franc regulated by the Central Bank of West African States.

The original plans were grand in scale. The first phase alone envisioned a hospital, shopping centre, school, law enforcement facility, waste processing plant, and a solar energy station—all by the end of 2023. The city was designed to be eco-friendly and powered entirely by renewable sources.

However, these ambitions never materialised. Despite Akon’s assurances in a 2022 interview that the project was progressing, no major construction followed the launch. The government has now confirmed the project is defunct, blaming insufficient funding and a lack of construction momentum.

Although the initial Akon City has been scrapped, the site near Mbodiène is still seen as a valuable asset. With the 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon and a rise in tourism, officials remain optimistic about its development potential. Akon and the government are now working on a more grounded project suited to local needs and economic realities.