Akon is launching a solar academy that he hopes will provide electricity to 600 million people in Africa.
The R&B singer, who earlier this year revealed plans to release 5 albums over the course of 12 months, has launched ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ with the aim of capitalising on the continent’s 320 days of sunshine a year. Partners with the company include Solektra International, an African company specialising in solar energy and water treatment.
The Mali based academy opens this summer and will train Africans in “every aspect of installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids”.
Co-founder Samba Bathily said: “We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise and that is our objective.”
Bathily added: “We are doing more than just investing in clean energy. We are investing in human capital. We can achieve great milestones and accelerate the African transformation process on condition that we start training a new generation of highly qualified African engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs now.”
Earlier this year Akon purchased a bulletproof van for an unnamed African president. The Senegal born singer ordered a 2014 Mercedes Sprinter and asked for the entire vehicle to be reinforced with bulletproof armour.
The vehicle was alluded to be a gift for an African president, though Akon declined to say which one.