Electricity is a necessity to people and countries alike. A country without electricity is a country that is fighting to function properly with a major handicap. Akon, a rap artist known for songs such as “Smack That” and “Lonely,” decided in 2013 he was going to help Africa with his program Akon Lighting Africa. “Electricity is more than light. This is a true change in our daily life,” said a mother of Yelimané, village, Mali. “Our main goal and initiative is to become the key tool to help Africa’s growth, utilizing the youth of Africa to be the main catapults of making that happen,” says Akon.
February 2014 marked the month that Akon Lighting Africa would begin to make its mark on the world. With Akon Lighting Africa in effect, Akon plans to provide 600 million Africans with electricity year round. This electricity will be generated by solar panels installed around roads and alongside buildings. Also, these panels will be partially installed by locals, creating millions of jobs as well as providing light to a darkened country. Today, Akon is working hard in 14 countries, setting up street lamps and providing villages with their own sources of electricity.
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, or Akon, spent much of his childhood in the West African country of Senegal where he experienced the hardships of Africans first hand. When asked why he’s dedicating himself to this enormous project, Akon says “to be able to facilitate the needs of millions of people in Africa, has always been a dream of mine.” He also states, “I’m in the position to save lives.” Being a multinational celebrity puts Akon in a great place to start such a large project. “Being a celebrity makes things much easier because I can spread the word and get things done much quicker.”
Akon plans to continue this project until he’s no longer able to. He wants to help every country he can, but only certain country’s leaders will allow him to do his work. Akon is trying to change Africa’s quality of life, and to all the people he is helping, he is doing just that.