Senegal has officially cancelled plans for Akon City, a $6 billion futuristic smart city project proposed by Senegalese-American singer, Akon.
The project, which was first announced in 2020, aimed to transform the quiet coastal village of Mbodiène into a modern, tech-driven metropolis inspired by Marvel’s Wakanda.
Despite initial enthusiasm and a grand vision that included solar power and a cryptocurrency ecosystem based on Akon’s own “Akoin,” the project failed to take off.
After five years of inaction and unmet financial obligations, the Senegalese government has reclaimed most of the 136 acres of land previously allocated for the development.
“That project no longer exists,” said Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Sapco-Senegal, the state agency overseeing coastal and tourism development, in a statement to L’Agence de presse sénégalaise.
According to a report by Bloomberg, SAPCO now plans to pursue a scaled-down, state-backed tourism project on the same site. The new development, which will be supported by private investors, has a revised budget of 665 billion CFA francs (approximately $1.2 billion).
As part of the revision, Akon will retain only 8 hectares of the original site. This parcel will be integrated into the broader project now under state supervision.
Although Akon City generated global buzz upon its announcement, visible progress was minimal. Only a youth centre, basketball court, and information kiosk had been constructed, while the ambitious first phase—which was to include a hospital—missed its 2023 completion deadline.
Officials remain optimistic about the renewed direction, noting that the restructured project could create up to 15,000 jobs in its initial phase, potentially revitalising the local economy of Mbodiène.
