Akon Is Taking a Bold Step to Bring Electricity to 600 Million People in Africa

[thejazz97]

For years, Sengalese-American singer Akon only lit up dance floors figuratively. Today, the multinational recording star is using his talents to light up Africa in a very different way.

A year ago, he launched Akon Lighting Africa, an initiative designed to bring electricity to millions of Africans using solar energy. Thus far, they've installed solar street lamps and domestic solar panels in over a million households in 14 African countries. Last month, the company announced a new phase of its initiative: Akon Lighting Africa is going to be building a "Solar Academy" in Bamako, Mali's capital, in order to teach the skills to build and maintaining solar systems to African engineers.

Africa's future may be about to get a lot brighter.

Akon's roots: Akon himself grew up in Kaolack, Senegal, a town without electricity. "I always had a passion for Africa because I am from Africa and I always felt Africa was being taken advantage of," Akon told African Vibes. "As a regular person there's not much you can do, but as a celebrity you can influence millions of people, which makes it a lot easier. Things can happen a lot faster, and I like to take advantage of that and find more ways to bring opportunities to Africa."

Africa's relative lack of electricity has presented serious impediments to economic growth. Over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity. Children struggle to do their homework by candlelight or kerosene, which is expensive and gives off toxic fumes. Shops close early, roads can be hazardous to travel and food and medicine can't be kept cold easily.

By providing electricity to Africans, Akon Lighting Africa is doing far more than just providing modern conveniences, they are presenting Africans with pathways out of poverty. Since the African continent receives sun nearly 320 days a year, solar panels may be the best way to offer sustainable energy solutions.

"We are doing more than just investing in clean energy. We are investing in human capital," Samba Bathily, Akon Lighting Africa's cofounder, explained to the United Nations' Sustainable Energy for All Forum when announcing their new Solar Academy.

https://vimeo.com/102650910

Akon's charitable work: Akon Lighting Africa isn't the only way he's taken action for Africa. The singer has been active in promoting peace in the continent, headlining the historic Peace One Day concert that took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year. He's also run his Konfidence Foundation since 2006, which strives to increase public awareness of Africa's conditions and provide educational materials, recreational resources and health services to Africa's youth.

"I think the United States probably may take the value of Africa just a little bit for granted," Akon told Politico in August 2014. "I think with the right partners, the right neighboring allies and the right support, Africa could be dominating. Because it has all the natural resources you can imagine, and if all the other countries actually got together and created unity, the dollar would be humongous."

Akon's impact could be huge. "I think every single country was a little specifically suspicious — because like 'He's a music guy, what's he doing in energy?'" Akon told Al Jazeera about the challenges setting up Akon Lighting Africa's solar systems. But his impact speaks for itself. They've reached over a million homes, with even more to come. By providing locals with the ability to maintain their own systems through the Solar Academy instead of relying on outside aid, the company can create a fully functional and self-sustaining energy system. On the Akon Lighting Africa's site, he writes, "Power to empower people: that is our objective."

http://mic.com/articles/120045/akon-is-taking-a-bold-step-to-bring-electricity-to-600-million-people-in-africa

Haven't seen anyone else post this yet, but I think this is a pretty cool thing for him to do.

[Guest]

He clearly makes too much money. One million households with solar panels is a hell of a lot. Bravo to him though. Beats anything Bono's ever done.

[John Tortorella]

But but.... The other post tells me solar panels are worse for environment then fossel fuels even tho foss fuels have been around for 100's of years verses

[Armada]

Such a nice thing to do by Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam

[Heretic]

But but.... The other post tells me solar panels are worse for environment then fossel fuels even tho foss fuels have been around for 100's of years verses

No one said it was worse for the environment - it's just that it's not 100% clean as some would have you believe.

As far as this thread goes - this is awesome!

"Two scientists on a mission to measure climate change in the Arctic likely drowned because the very ice they went to measure was too thin to hold them. From the melting Arctic to drought-stricken California, we can't wait another minute to act on climate change.

We're days away from the G7 meeting where Germany’s Angela Merkel could settle for a deadly climate compromise -- that these rich countries wait until 2100 to get off fossil fuels. Even though they all know that only gives us a 66% chance of avoiding climate catastrophe!

Insiders say large public demand is what is missing most from the debate -- that’s why we need to raise a 3-million strong global outcry, inspiring the G7 to switch to 100% clean within a generation, not wait a century. Sign now. "

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/g7_climate_loc/?ssynvjb

[Down by the River]

So one man has done more for an entire continent than the Red Cross has done for Haiti, and with less money to work with.

Great on him, and again highlights some of the incompetencies of larger organizations.

[Lucky Day]

This is amazing, thank you for posting it, solar panels to 1 million homes? wow, that will get children light to read at night, light and electricity is such an obstacle for the underdeveloped, well done !

Its so tangible, as Canadians we do a lot of traveling and volunteering, but he's right, with celebrity and money he can change a lot.

Hip Hop singer 'Akon' is more productive towards tangible goals than all these NGO's and Agencies? Amazing

[Ghostsof1915]

People need to understand it's not just the money, it's the drive and motivation.

[kacholu]

Why is this even news?

Shouldn't we be talking about more important things like Bruce Jenner?

[desiboynux4lifee*******]

This is amazing. Good for this Akon guy. Hope more celebrities were like him, goes to show what a difference the rich can make in the world. Imagine more celebrities thought outside the box for once. Good job Akon.

Heck, imagine what the greedy elite can do to for the world, instead they sit around creating wars for more profit.

[Winter Soldier]

This is amazing. Good for this Akon guy. Hope more celebrities were like him, goes to show what a difference the rich can make in the world. Imagine more celebrities thought outside the box for once. Good job Akon.

Heck, imagine what the greedy elite can do to for the world, instead they sit around creating wars for more profit.

ROFL

[stexx]

So one man has done more for an entire continent than the Red Cross has done for Haiti, and with less money to work with.

Great on him, and again highlights some of the incompetencies of larger organizations.

probably because the redcross pays their executives 100k+ salaries. Not much left for haiti once you pay for your yacht.

http://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/71-canadian-red-cross

[grandmaster]

He clearly makes too much money. One million households with solar panels is a hell of a lot. Bravo to him though. Beats anything Bono's ever done.

Wow.

Bono has been heavily involved in several important charities and started well before Akon was even born.

You brought up the worst comparison pal

[TOMapleLaughs]

I certainly like this better than Jay-Z's latest venture into getting people to pay for free music.

Couldn't Jay-Z just buy Africa if he wanted to?

[Phil_314]

Why is this even news?

Shouldn't we be talking about more important things like Bruce Jenner?

[Buddhas Hand]

Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth , you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget , no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be , that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact , it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person.

R. Buckminster Fuller