Akon City will be here before we know it, according to Akon.

During a recent interview, Akon confirmed that the city he is building in Senegal will be open for living by 2026. In addition to that, he says it will house the largest hospital on the continent of Africa.

 

“We’re still on track,” said the “Lonely” crooner, noting that despite the ongoing effects of COVID-19, his futuristic city is still set to open in the initial year that they set out for.

He added during the interview: “It kind of stalled a bit because a lot of partners and solution providers obviously had to lock down, but it didn’t affect the paper pusher side of it.”

Trusting the process: He further explained what the paperwork and negotiation stages were like during the pandemic. At this point, they have graduated to the feasibility and environmental sectors of the building process.

“Now, we’re back on track. Now, construction will start in 2023,” Akon shared. “We still have the three-year window for the first phase to be done and our goal is for the first phase to be done by 2026 to make the junior Olympics in Senegal.”

What we know: As previously reported by AfroTech, Akon City is a reported $6 billion project inspired by the hit film “Black Panther.” When he first shared the news in 2018, the “Smack That” singer said it will be like a “real-life Wakanda,” in reference to the film’s technologically advanced fictional place.

For more on the first full trailer of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” from Marvel Studios, head to Shadow and Act.

Although Akon was born in the United States to Senegalese parents, he has always made it a point to give back to the place where his family’s roots lie.

What the city will have to offer: Along with a hotel and the corporate tower, which the singer referred to as the Akon Tower, Akon says the city will have:

  • boating docks
  • a food and beverage store
  • a 10,000-bed hospital
  • plus more

 

A note: The first phase will be directed to tourists, with only hotels and activities for people to come and get a feel for the city.