When singer Akon, known more for his chart-topping hits than for his urban planning skills, announced plans to build multi-billion dollar futuristic cities in Senegal and Uganda, the excitement was palpable. Fast forward a few years, and it seems the only thing these projects have in common with a futuristic city is their inability to get off the ground.
The grand vision, which was first revealed in 2018, promised a “real-life Wakanda” powered by the magic of cryptocurrency and futuristic technology. Akon’s pitch sounded as enticing as a cold Nile Special on a hot Kampala afternoon, but the reality is starting to look more like a bad case of “tall grass syndrome.”
In Senegal, the situation is as bleak as a power cut during a village festival. The government had graciously provided Akon with vast tracts of land to build his dream city. Yet, the only thing growing on this land appears to be weeds. The Senegalese government, feeling like they’ve been duped in a game of “Hide and Seek,” has issued Akon a formal notice to get the project moving—or face the consequences. Apparently, the state agency Sapco-Senegal, which oversees tourism and development, hasn’t seen a dime of the promised payments from Akon, leaving them with more excuses than actual progress.
Across the continent, Uganda’s welcome for Akon was nothing short of a royal gala. In 2021, with all the flair of a celebrity parade, Akon and his glamorous wife Tomeka Thiam were met with a red carpet rolled out for a Hollywood star. President Yoweri Museveni, ever the gracious host, allocated 2.59 square kilometers of prime land for Akon’s second futuristic city. The anticipation was high, and the promises were grand, but now it seems the Ugandan government might need to organize a search party to find out what’s happening with their new “Wakanda.”
Rumor has it that Akon’s office in Uganda has become as silent as a deserted village well after dark. Calls from the Uganda State House are going unanswered, and the completion date of 2036 feels as distant as the next lunar eclipse. By then, President Museveni might have been in power for 50 years, making Akon’s futuristic city a charming relic of a bygone era—or perhaps just another tall tale.
As it stands, the only thing that’s truly growing on the proposed sites in both Senegal and Uganda is the disappointment of the hopeful hosts. The vision of sleek, high-tech cities seems to be fading faster than the ink on a weather-beaten billboard.
In essence, what was once a glittering promise of futuristic cities now resembles a classic Ugandan tale of grand plans meeting the harsh reality of implementation. If Akon’s cities do materialize, they might just be the ultimate example of how big dreams can sometimes end up as overgrown grass and broken deadlines.
