The Senegalese government has officially scrapped plans for the much-hyped $6 billion futuristic smart city proposed by Senegalese-American music mogul Akon, instead announcing a more modest and economically feasible tourism resort in its place.
Initially unveiled in 2020 as “Akon City,” the ambitious project was touted as Africa’s answer to Wakanda a technologically advanced, cryptocurrency-driven utopia complete with luxury skyscrapers, an airport, and a hospital. However, five years later, the project has seen little to no progress beyond a ceremonial stone laying, raising public doubts about its feasibility.
In a statement released Tuesday, Senegal’s Ministry of Tourism confirmed that it has officially withdrawn support for the Akon City blueprint due to financial and logistical challenges.
“We recognize the symbolic value of Akon’s vision, but the project has become unrealistic under the current economic conditions. We are focusing instead on a scalable resort plan that meets national development goals,” the ministry’s spokesperson said.
Sources close to the government revealed that the new plan involves the development of a mid-scale coastal resort zone aimed at boosting Senegal’s tourism and job creation without relying on speculative technologies or unproven crypto-based economies.
Akon, who had promised to build the city using his proprietary cryptocurrency, Akoin, is yet to issue an official response. In previous interviews, he had cited delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting investor commitments.
Public reaction has been mixed. While some expressed disappointment over the cancellation of a project that once stirred Pan-African pride and futuristic aspirations, others welcomed the government’s pivot to a more pragmatic use of land and resources.
Critics had long questioned the viability of Akon’s mega-city idea, citing the lack of transparency in funding, delays in groundwork, and over-reliance on untested technologies.
With the official cancellation, what was once imagined as a dazzling African skyline may now fade into history as an unrealized dream — albeit one that sparked global conversation about innovation and Afro-futurism.
