The Government of Senegal has officially cancelled the Akon City project, which was led by world-renowned singer Akon, due to significant delays and lack of available funding.
The futuristic city was planned to be built in Mbodiène, on the Atlantic coast, and aimed to transform the area into a high-tech smart city modeled after the fictional nation of Wakanda in Marvel movies.
In 2020, Akon was granted 136 hectares of land, but to date, no major construction had taken place.
In August 2024, he received a final warning to begin construction or risk losing the land. Since no progress was made, the government has reclaimed the land.
Instead of Akon City, the government now plans to build a modern tourism complex worth $1.2 billion, expected to create around 15,000 jobs.
Akon is now only allowed to retain 8 hectares for a much smaller project compared to the original city plan.
