that offers tax breaks and other benefits to incentivize new business in various sectors.
But experts in sustainable development and smart cities, as well as leaders in the local tech scene, agree that Akon should include the community in the development process itself rather than waiting for the working class to trickle into Akon City after the elite crowd settles in."I've yet to see [the construction of a smart city] done in a sensitive and considerate and inclusive way that takes into account local people," Slavova, the smart cities researcher, told Business Insider.
Fara Ndiaye, the deputy executive director of Speak Up Africa, a non-profit organization focused on sustainable development, told Business Insider their group had not been contacted by anyone from the project. Similarly, Carine Vavasseur, an "ecosystem builder" at DER, Senegal's startup fund, told Business Insider that DER supports many startups that could be involved in building Akon City but nobody from Akon City had contacted the organization.
"Sometimes we have projects that are done exclusively with external people, and when it's done, you have a barrier with the population," Vavasseur said. "Because they will feel like this has been done here but maybe it was not done with us — or for us — at the end of the day.
At a press conference in a Dakar hotel after the stone-laying ceremony last week, Akon said he initially wanted to tap"But honestly, I wanted to not overthink my project," he said. "In my research, as far as what I needed in the time that I needed, I could not find one fast enough.
6 billion ain’t gonna build much of a city.
The quality of journalism is really down the drain these days. You'd think a reputable publisher such as would not be a pyramid scheme amplifier but no.. everything for the clicks.
mrtallerjerry Sounds like he's going to build it in Saly. Gorgeous stretch of coast.
Been hearing this for years now and no result. Need to start asking real questions.
Market dynamics tell us that it won’t fly.
momoalyssa24
athigah Keep little girls outta this city.
Go brother
I been knowin that. He’s been workin on it for a while now. America just sleeping on Akon and African technology.
Blacks listen up, this dude lying.
Talk about helping your community once you make it! Incredible what he’s done to help people! .Akon Goals
shriyaajainn ganju_rijul
One day Africa will grow God bless Senegal 🇸🇳
AlexParker BarrettAll we gotta talk about this some time
Completely filthy, well done, looks fking awesome! Akon
He better confer with TI before doing that.
Shadowy investor
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Source: BusinessInsider - 🏆 729. / 51 Read more »