Akon’s ambitious dream of building a futuristic crypto-powered city in Senegal may have fizzled out, but the land earmarked for “Akon City” won’t be left to rot.
Back in 2020, the “Locked Up” star secured a massive $6 billion contract to develop Akon City along Senegal’s Atlantic Coast. The first phase was supposed to be completed by the end of 2023 and included essentials like roads, a hospital, mall, police station, school, waste facility, and a power plant. Phase 2, which was slated for completion in 2029, aimed to fully integrate businesses using Akon’s own AKOIN cryptocurrency—along with stadiums, parks, universities, and an industrial complex.
But those plans came to a halt. After Akon failed to meet deadlines and make payments, Sapco-Senegal, the government tourism agency that had backed the project, confirmed the crypto city “no longer exists.” Much of the land in Mbodiène—about 50 miles from Dakar—was reclaimed after Akon didn’t hold up his end of the deal.
Now, Sapco is moving forward with a new $1.2 billion plan to revamp the area into a bustling tourism hub. The updated vision includes hotels, apartments, a marina, and a promenade linking the area to a nearby lagoon. According to a presentation, the aim is to “make Mbodiène a true engine of growth.”
Despite the collapse of Akon City, the artist still holds onto eight hectares of land, which will be part of a more “realistic project” spanning over 500 hectares, according to Sapco head Serigne Mamadou Mboup. “What Akon’s preparing with us is a realistic project, which Sapco will fully support,” Mboup noted.
As for Akon’s similar plans in Uganda? No word yet on whether those ambitions have been affected by the Senegal setback.
