Hip Hop artist Akon launches initiative to bring electricity to 1 million homes in Africa

Akon at the 2010 World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures press conference held at the Grand Hyatt on September 24, 2010 in New York City. PHOTO/File

Five-time Grammy nominated hip-hop artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Akon has has initiated a partnership with various organizations to bring electricity to 1 million homes in West and Central Africa by the end of 2014.

The initiative known as “Akon Lighting Africa” covers 9 countries including: Burkina Faso, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Senegal. The project will involve the installation of solar equipment in households as well as the promotion of their energy sufficiency which will allow millions of Africans access to cheaper electricity.

The partners of the Akon Lighting Africa initiative include: Akon’s company (Akon Corporation); SOLEKTRA International – BYD Solar; Cambridge UK solar pioneer; Azuri Technologies; NARI (A member of China Grid Group), Give1Project and the respective governments of of the African countries involved.

Akon has also met with the respective leaders of the countries involved, and in the next few weeks, Akon Lighting Africa intends to start delivering village-level solar electricity. The project will commence with 2 – 3 villages which will be equipped with solar panels.

“We are extremely pleased by the overwhelmingly positive response of government leaders to embrace a public-private partnership that aims to address access to power in sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative is given further validity and momentum based on the support of these nations and their executives and advisors,” said Akon.

More information on the Akon Lighting Africa initiative is available at www.akonlightingafrica.com.