Akon Is Bringing Electricity To 600 Million Africans

If you’ve not been keeping up with Akon’s recent activities, we wouldn’t blame you.

Since releasing “Mr. Lonely” in 2005 (!) and “Smack That” in 2006, he hasn’t made much of a dent on the pop charts of late.

Cash-wise though, he’s been doing just fine, having discovered Lady Gaga and earned a mint off her success.

But what is an Akon to do with all that money?

Well, bring electricity to 600 million people in Africa, apparently.

His new initiative, Akon Lightning Africa, will see him launch a solar academy that could help capitalise on the continent’s 320 days of sunshine a year.

The academy will open this year in Bamako, Mali, and it is hoped that the scheme will also become a source of sustainable employment for Africa’s young population. (75 per cent of Africans are under the age of 35.)

Akon and his co-founders will partner with Solektra International, an African company that deals in solar energy and water treatment.

Your move, Ja Rule.