Let there be light! Famed 'Lonely' singer brings light to Gambia

Celebrated American Singer and rapper, Akon travelled to Gambia to launch a solar project connected with his ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ initiative.

The 43 year old celebrity is also campaigning for youth empowerment in the West African country in a ‘Role of young people in building a new Gambia.’ project championed by Thione Niang – Founder of the Give1 Project and Samba Bathily of the Solektra Energy Group according to a report by African News.

The rapper is expected to meet with newly elected President Adama Barrow.

The musician with Senegalese roots met with Economy Minister Jose Goncalves in Cape Verde on Saturday and disclosed he was considering the poor but stable island nation as his next investment prospect.

Akon together with fellow Senegalese Niang and Malian entrepreneur, Bathily; co-founded Akon Lighting Africa initiative in 2014.

According to Akon, he and Thione Niang grew up in Kaolack Region, Senegal in a town without electricity.

“I want to leave a legacy, Africans work harder in everything and they work harder to live and to sustain themselves.” Akon told AFP in the Gambian capital of Banjul.

The mega-solar project is aimed at providing electricity to some 600 million Africans.

According to reports the project has already brought electricity to more than 14 African countries.

The Gambian village of Sareh Pateh, population 4,000, turned on solar street lights for the first time on Sunday night, along with power for a mosque and a pharmacy according to AFP.

Best known for his singles “Am so lonely” and “Locked Up,” Akon has in recent years shifted his focus from showbiz business and embraced philanthropy. He has devoted more of his energy and time in attending renewable energy conferences and visiting schools to provide adequate lighting to study.