African-American singer and entrepreneur Akon has revealed that his ambitious multi-trillion dollar project, known as "Akon City," is still progressing, but it requires more time to come to fruition.
In 2018, Akon unveiled plans for Akon City, a futuristic community in Senegal and Uganda inspired by the film Black Panther, describing it as a "real-life Wakanda" that would incorporate modern technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrency.
While the construction of the city's first phase was initially set to begin in 2023 and be completed by 2028, the project appears to be stalled, as no construction has commenced in either country, raising concerns.
In a recent interview, Akon confirmed that the project is still active but indicated that it could take up to 15 years to complete.
He acknowledged that he had made a mistake by promoting the project heavily before it officially started, which he believes has led to increased public pressure.
"I think people sometimes kind of failed to understand that when you build an infrastructure, how long it takes," Akon said.
"We are talking about building a city. These are things that sometimes take 10-15 years. My biggest mistake was I promoted heavily before I got it started." he added.
It is worth noting that in 2022, the Ugandan government allocated one square mile of land in Mukono for Akon to develop his futuristic city, estimated to cost $6 billion (approximately Shs22 trillion).
The project, which now aims for completion by 2036, has the backing of both the Senegalese and Ugandan governments, with land designated for Akon's initiative.
Last year, the Ugandan government announced it would provide extensive land in Mukono District for the Akon City project, covering eight villages, including Buleebi, Sango, Mbazi, Kyazi, Lulagwe, Muvo, Kiziru, and Kamwanyi.
However, this allocation sparked controversy, as some local residents claimed ownership of the land.
Akon had originally envisioned a high-tech metropolis across Dakar and Kampala, featuring condominiums, amusement parks, and a seaside resort with gravity-defying skyscrapers, all powered by solar energy and his cryptocurrency, Akoin.
Despite these grand plans, doubts remain about the project's viability, as the singer has yet to lay any groundwork in either country.
Frustration over Akon's unfulfilled promises led the Senegalese government to formally notify him last August that they would reclaim 90% of the land allocated for Akon City if construction did not commence.