Senegalese authorities have formally announced the end of the high-profile “Akon City” project, originally envisioned as a $6 billion, ultra-modern metropolis on the Atlantic coast. Instead, the government says it will collaborate with the musician Akon on a more practical development plan for the same site.
Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Senegal’s tourism development agency (SAPCO), confirmed the decision in remarks to the BBC.
“The Akon City project no longer exists,” Mboup said. “Fortunately, an agreement has been reached between SAPCO and the entrepreneur Alioune Badara Thiam [aka Akon]. What he’s preparing with us is a realistic project, which SAPCO will fully support.”
The move marks the formal abandonment of one of Africa’s most widely publicized—and controversial—planned cities.
An Ambitious Vision That Stalled
Akon City was first announced in 2018, promising to transform 800 hectares of coastal land near Mbodiène, about 100 km south of Senegal’s capital Dakar, into a futuristic hub of innovation and tourism.
The plans were strikingly ambitious: curving skyscrapers inspired by Wakanda from Marvel’s Black Panther, a city powered entirely by renewable energy, and services such as hospitals, schools, shopping centers, police stations, and solar plants—all targeted for completion in phases, with the first stage promised by the end of 2023.
The city was also designed to use Akoin, a new cryptocurrency created by the singer himself, as its primary currency—a plan that drew questions about legality, given Senegal’s reliance on the CFA franc regulated by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO).
Empty Fields and Unfulfilled Promises
Despite early fanfare, little tangible progress occurred on the ground. After five years, the 800-hectare site remains virtually empty. Reports describe an incomplete reception building standing alone on the scrubby coastal plain. No roads, housing, or utility infrastructure were ever built.
Locals who had been promised jobs and development say they have seen no change.
“We were promised jobs and development,” one resident told the BBC. “Instead, nothing has changed.”
The Akoin cryptocurrency project also faltered, with investors reporting struggles to recoup their money. Even Akon acknowledged problems in its management, stating:
“It wasn’t being managed properly – I take full responsibility for that.”
Official Confirmation of Cancellation
While many observers had already concluded the city was effectively dead, the government’s statement makes its cancellation formal. Officials cited persistent funding challenges and stalled construction efforts as the primary reasons.
Although Akon himself remained upbeat about the project in previous interviews—including one in 2022 where he insisted it was “100,000% moving”—no substantial building followed the initial launch ceremony.
Focus Shifts to New, Realistic Development
Despite shelving the grandiose original plan, both SAPCO and Akon say they are not abandoning development in Mbodiène entirely. Instead, they plan to work on a more modest, achievable project. Details of this new plan have not been released but are expected to be aligned with Senegal’s development priorities and financial realities.
The land remains strategically important, especially with the 2026 Youth Olympic Games approaching, bringing hopes of increased tourism and investment in Senegal’s coastal regions.
Government officials have expressed optimism that the new plan—while less flashy—will deliver real jobs, infrastructure, and growth for local communities.
By refocusing on practical goals, Senegal’s government hopes to turn a high-profile disappointment into a more sustainable opportunity for development.