Senegalese – American Music star, and business investor, Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, famously known as Akon, has on Friday morning arrived in Uganda for what is termed as an official business visit.
Akon’s visit follows a recent visit of his wife Ms. Rozina Negusir to Uganda earlier this year in January.
Akon was received by Mr. Abbey Walusimbi, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Musician and Tourism Ambassador Eddie Kenzo, Sheik Ramadhan Mulindwa from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and music promoter Isaac Kigozi.
During his visit, Akon is expected to meet the President to discuss different investment opportunities in various sectors of Energy, Tourism, Infrastructure development to mention but a few.
In 2018, Akon announced plans to establish a $6 billion futuristic Pan-African smart city in Senegal dubbed “Akon City”.
Supported by the Senegalese Government, the 800-hectare solar-powered city will feature shopping malls music studios, tourist resorts among other attractions.
Akon will visit a number of Tourist sites and Religious institutions during his stay in Uganda.
Akon’s wife, who is the President and CEO of Zanar Entertainment, Entreeg Records & Entreeg Entertainment Group, said she intended to invest $12 million in the Ugandan entertainment industry over the course of five years.
“We are here to explore new opportunities in Uganda, we are focused on investing in Agriculture, solar, and real estate. Our main focus is to see how we can bridge the gap between East Africa and West Africa in terms of business and trade,” she said.
We wanted to bring entertainment in Africa, we are looking for a hub, a home to be the Africa Hollywood; America became America not because of Agriculture but because of the entertainment industry. If we bring entertainment whether movie, music award, every year, Uganda can become the home of the entertainment industry,” she added.
“It’s our job to bring the African movies, music, take it to the next level by recognizing ourself, we don’t have to wait for other cultures to recognize us, we are good enough to recognize ourselves.”
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