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American Singer Akon Looking to Break Ground on $6 billion Futuristic City
Project in Senegal

VOA News

   American singer Akon sayshe is moving ahead with plansto breakground on
   a $6 billion futuristic self-named city in Senegal next year.

   On Monday, Akon traveled with government officials to the site of the
   planned project intherural communityofMbodienne, well outside the
   capital, Dakar.

   Akon,whose realnameisAliuaneThiam,said he sees Akon city becoming the
   beginning of Africa's future, with the latest technologies,
   cryptocurrencies.

   Akon, the son of Senegalese parents who spent his early childhood in
   the West African nation,also hopes the project will provide much needed
   jobsfor Senegaleseandbe a refugefor Black Americans and others facing
   racial prejudice.

   Akon's project, which was first announced two years ago, has won him
   favor with Senegalese authorities who praisehim forinvesting in Africa
   at a timeofuncertainty inglobaltourism.

   Akon said his idea for the cityprecedesthe blockbuster movie "Black
   Panther," but helikened hiscity as a "real-life Wakanda," the
   technologically advanced fictional African place portrayed in the
   movie.

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