Akon City: Akon’s Wakanda-style $6bn project abandoned by Senegal

Not long ago, the world was buzzing about an ambitious dream from music superstar Akon—a city unlike any other, right on the coast of Senegal. Dubbed Akon City, this massive, futuristic metropolis was inspired by the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda from Marvel’s Black Panther. It promised a high-tech haven filled with eco-friendly infrastructure, cutting-edge skyscrapers, and even its own digital currency: Akoin.

Akon’s vision was bold: a $6 billion project featuring state-of-the-art hospitals, luxury hotels, smart homes, a film hub named “Senewood,” and renewable energy powering it all. The city was to be a beacon of innovation and pride for Africa, showing the world what the continent could achieve when technology and culture meet.

But fast forward to 2025, and that dream has faded.

What Went Wrong?

Despite a glamorous launch and global media attention, the site today remains mostly empty. Aside from a modest welcome center and a youth basketball court, there is little to show for the billions promised. Roads were never paved, buildings never rose, and Akoin never became a functioning currency in Senegal.

So what happened?

• Funding fell short – While the concept attracted attention, it lacked the concrete financial backing needed to move forward.
• Crypto complications – Akoin, the digital currency meant to power the city’s economy, struggled to gain traction and was never approved for widespread use in Senegal.
• Project delays – Deadlines were missed, and the momentum behind the project slowly disappeared.
• Government intervention – Eventually, the Senegalese government reclaimed most of the land and announced plans to build a $1.2 billion coastal resort in its place.

A Lesson in Vision vs. Reality

Akon has since admitted he may have launched the project too early and without the proper management structure to see it through. While he retains a small portion of the original land, the full-scale city he once described as “a real-life Wakanda” is no longer happening.

The fall of Akon City teaches us something important: bold dreams are beautiful, but they must be backed by planning, infrastructure, and realism. Communities were promised jobs and a better future, and for now, those promises remain unfulfilled.

What’s Next?

In place of Akon’s utopian city, Senegal now plans to develop a luxury tourist destination, with marinas, hotels, and walkable beachfronts that are more aligned with the country’s economic goals.

While it’s disappointing to see such a visionary idea fade, there is hope that the land will still be used for something beneficial—and perhaps in the future, another bold dreamer will pick up where Akon left off, with the resources and support needed to truly bring it to life.

Until then, Akon City stands as a reminder of what can happen when vision soars ahead of reality—and the importance of building dreams one brick at a time.