American R&B singer Akon is moving ahead with plans to create a futuristic pan-African city, announcing last week that construction will begin next year on the $6 billion project despite global tourism's uncertain future.

Akon, who first announced his idea for the utopian city back in 2018, has described it as a `real-life Wakanda," comparing it to the technologically advanced fictional African nation portrayed in the blockbuster film `Black Panther.` The recording artist and producer said last week that he hoped his project would provide much needed jobs for Senegalese and also serve as a `home back home` for Black Americans and others facing racial injustice.

`The system back home treats them unfairly in so many different ways that you can never imagine. And they only go through it because they feel that there is no other way,` he said. `So if you're coming from America or Europe or elsewhere in the diaspora and you feel that you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop.`

The singer acknowledged the comparisons made between Akon City and the utopian society in `Black Panther,` calling it an `honor.`

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"A real-life Wakanda." R&B singer #Akon reveals plans for the $6 billion utopian city in Senegal, at the link in bio.

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Plans eventually call for Akon City to have its own hospital, police station and even its own cryptocurrency already named AKoin. Without giving specifics, the singer also said he's considering franchising the concept to other countries on the continent.

Akon rose to R&B fame after his 2004 debut album, but has increasingly focused on development projects in Africa in recent years.