Work has started on creating a smart city, Akon City, with its own cryptocurrency (4 photos)

The idea of ​​creating the first smart city in Africa belongs to the famous American singer Akon of Senegalese origin. The first announcement of the start of work on the Akon City project was made public in 2018, and this winter the singer announced his intention to begin construction on a 2,000-acre site near Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The land was donated to Akon by the country's president, Maki Sall.

Today, in June 2020, he officially announced the signing of a partnership agreement between the American consulting engineering firm KE International and Akon City. The $ 6 billion contract will be funded by US investors to design, build and operate a smart city.

One of the hallmarks of the city will be the use on its territory of its own AKoin cryptocurrency, which organizers say will kick off the process of promoting digital currency and blockchain technology on the African continent.

The first phase of the project will be completed by 2023 and will include the construction of a power plant, a hospital, roads, shops and a school. By 2029, a second phase will be rolled out, during which a college, university, police stations, industrial complex and stadium will be built in the city. All Akon City businesses will use AKoin cryptocurrency.

Akon City will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources. Full construction completion is scheduled for 2030. According to the founder, Akon City will become the second African city to be fully certified as a leader in energy and environmental design (LEED).The first LEED-certified city in Kenya is called Mwale Medical and Technology City (MMTC), also built with help from KE International.

More detailed information about Akon City will be known after project approval. So far, it is speculated that the cryptocurrency city will receive an artificial lake with pedestrian terraces, as well as skyscraper towers similar to the futuristic Leeza Soho buildings in Beijing designed by Zaha Hadid.

Along with Akon, the Akon City project is co-organized by Senegal's national travel agency SAPCO, which plans to launch new tourist routes through the futuristic city.

Source: archival paper

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