Akon and The Future of Africa

Musician Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but spent much of his childhood in the West African country of Senegal. The child of a dancer mother and a percussionist father, Mor Thiam, Akon learned to play five instruments, including drums, guitar and djembe. At age 7, he moved with his family to Union City, New Jersey, splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children.

Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa, Akon Lighting Africa, two record labels: KonLive and Konvict and a foundation.

Akon at YouthConnekt Africa Summit

The American born Senegalese singer addressed the youth at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit. Akon encouraged the youth to rebrand Africa and urged those living in the diaspora to take the lead in transforming African economies.

Akon Lighting Africa

Launched in February 2014 by international music star, Akon, leader Thione Niang and entrepreneur Samba Bathily, this initiative aims to develop an innovative solar-powered solution that will provide African villages with access to a clean and affordable source of electricity.

In less than one year, thanks to a private-public partnership model and a well-established network of partners (including SOLEKTRA INT, SUMEC and NARI), a wide range of quality solar solutions, including street lamps, domestic and individual kits, have been installed in 14 African countries.

As a result, a number of households, villages, community houses, schools and health centres located in rural areas have been connected to electricity for the first time ever. Local jobs, primarily for young people, have also been created in these communities, whether for installation of equipment’s or for maintenance.

The highly positive results observed since the start of the project show that a local presence and practical solutions are key to resolving energy issues in Africa. Akon Lighting Africa’s roadmap fully reflects its founding members’ vision for Africa: to deliver concrete results to populations.

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