From Dreams to Reality: The Rise and Fall of Akon City – When $6 Billion Turns to Dust

For years, the world watched with bated breath as Akon City was touted as Africa’s answer to the fictional utopia of Wakanda.

The ambitious project, unveiled in 2020 by US-Senegalese singer Akon, promised a high-tech city filled with solar power, cryptocurrency, and modern infrastructure.

However, after five long years of stalled progress, officials in Senegal have finally acknowledged what many locals had suspected all along: the grand vision was never destined to become a reality.

The original plan called for a $6 billion investment to construct an expansive 800-hectare city in Mbodiène, located about 100 kilometers south of Dakar.

Yet today, the site remains largely barren, with only an unfinished reception building to show for the massive investment.

There are no roads, no housing, and certainly no electricity—just a stark reminder of the ambitious dream that has since fizzled out.

“The Akon City project no longer exists,” confirmed Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Senegal’s tourism development agency, Sapco.

He went on to state that an agreement has been reached with Akon, whose real name is Alioune Badara Thiam, to pursue a more realistic project that Sapco will fully support.

This shift in focus marks a significant departure from the original vision that captivated so many.

What was once envisioned as a thriving metropolis complete with hospitals, shops, universities, and a police station powered entirely by renewable energy has now been scaled down dramatically.

Locals have expressed their disillusionment over the failed promises.

“We were promised jobs and development,” lamented one resident to the BBC.

“Instead, nothing has changed.”

Many in the community have recounted tales of repeated delays and shifting timelines, culminating in a final notice from the government in August 2024 regarding the lack of progress.

Shortly after, most of the land was seized back by the state.

Akon himself has taken responsibility for the project’s shortcomings, admitting that his cryptocurrency venture, Akoin, has struggled to pay back investors.

He acknowledged, “It wasn’t being managed properly – I take full responsibility for that.”

There were also legal concerns surrounding the adoption of Akoin in Senegal, which relies on the CFA franc issued by the Central Bank of West African States, further complicating matters.

In light of these challenges, the once-grand vision has been reimagined as a $1 billion “tourism hub” covering just eight hectares.

This new project, funded by private investors, aims to create hotels, apartments, a marina, and a promenade.

According to Sapco, the first phase of this development alone could generate around 15,000 jobs for the local community.

For some residents of Mbodiène, this new direction brings a glimmer of hope.

Schoolteacher Jean Wally Sene expressed cautious optimism, stating, “For a very long time, people, including Akon, have been coming here trying to sell us dreams and illusions.

Finally, there’s a dream for Mbodiène that we dare to believe in.”

Mayor Alpha Samb echoed this sentiment during the launch of the revised plan, expressing hope that the resort would serve as a model for success in Senegal.

“May this resort serve as a model for success in Senegal, a hub for tourism and a source of economic opportunity,” he declared.

Whether this reimagined venture can deliver where Akon City failed remains uncertain.

The once-ambitious dream of creating a Senegalese Wakanda has been shelved, replaced by something smaller, more grounded, and perhaps more achievable.

As the community looks toward the future, it is clear that while the grand dreams of Akon City may have crumbled, there is still potential for growth and development in Mbodiène.

The journey from hype to dust serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges that come with ambitious projects and the importance of realistic planning and execution.

In this new chapter, the focus shifts from a fantastical vision to tangible opportunities, offering a chance for the community to rebuild and thrive, albeit on a smaller scale.

Only time will tell if this new initiative can fulfill the promises that were once made and bring the economic prosperity that the people of Mbodiène so desperately seek.