Akon City: Wakanda Dream Derailed in Senegal? Project Scrapped!

By: Marcelo Colombo Published On: 04/07/2025

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Remember Akon City, the futuristic $6 billion project in Senegal that was supposed to be the next Wakanda? Well, it seems the dream has been put on hold, or perhaps scrapped altogether. Officials in Senegal are now saying the project, spearheaded by singer Akon, is no longer viable in its original form.

What Happened to Akon City?

Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Senegal's tourism development body (Sapco), told the BBC that "The Akon City project no longer exists." Instead, Akon will be working on a more "realistic project" with Sapco's full support. This comes after years of setbacks and unfulfilled promises.

Akon City, announced in 2018, was envisioned as a high-tech utopia powered by renewable energy and its own cryptocurrency, Akoin. Its designs, featuring curvaceous skyscrapers, were often compared to Wakanda from the Marvel universe. However, the 800-hectare site in Mbodiène, intended for the city, remains largely empty, with only an incomplete reception building to show for it. Locals report that the promised jobs and development never materialized.

The Akoin Cryptocurrency's Struggles

Adding to the project's woes, Akon's Akoin cryptocurrency has faced challenges, with Akon admitting to mismanagement. Questions also arose regarding the legality of using Akoin as the primary payment method in Senegal, which uses the CFA franc.

A More Realistic Vision for Senegal?

Senegal's leaders had hoped Akon City would transform the country, where Akon spent part of his childhood. Now, they are focusing on a more grounded approach. It remains to be seen what this new project will entail and whether it can deliver the promised benefits to the local community. A similar project in Uganda, also involving Akon, has faced land disputes and resistance from residents.