Many of us are familiar with Akon as this once R&B and Hip-Hop superstar with many notable and chart-topping hit songs. His prominence in the music industry lasted from about 2004-2009, but he soon started to fade away from the public eye. Akon decided to eventually retire from the music industry and turned his focus to helping the continent of Africa where many countries and villages do not have access to basic electricity. In 2014, Akon created Akon Lighting Africa with the help of his two partners Samba Bathily and Thione Niang which aimed to provide millions of Africans with electricity through the use of solar energy. Akon originates from the country of Senegal and felt a very close connection to do something to help the millions of people back home and throughout the many other African countries that are struggling due to their inability to access basic electricity.

            Electricity is something that we take for granted living in a developed nation. It is not a surprise that many people would consider electricity as just an afterthought without acknowledging how much of a privilege it really is. There is an estimated 1.2 billion people living without access to electricity, which is 16% of the world’s population and many of which are in Africa (Routley). Without having access to electricity, there are many things that are affected that some of us don’t even realize, such as the economy. So, it really is no surprise that since many parts of Africa do not have basic access to electricity, their economy is definitely not striving. When asking my friend Emme who did a mission trip to a couple villages in Africa about how she was impacted after seeing how many of these people live, she said “I knew Africa was a less developed country, but until you see it with your own eyes you really do not know how much privilege we have living in a developed nation. Electricity is something most people do not have access to and that made me really appreciate my ability to turn on a light whenever it gets dark, something that I don’t even think twice about.”  Though Akon wanted to bring electricity to make life a lot easier for the millions of African struggling, his main goal was to help build up the economy. Akon created Akon Lighting Africa to create educational opportunities and job creations that will help build up the economy (Sol-Up). Prior to not having access to electricity, jobs and shops would close as soon as the sun goes down. By providing electricity though solar power, these countries and villages will be open at night and shops and vendors can continue their business throughout the night and make the economy stronger (Sol-Up).

            Though providing basic electricity to millions of Africans is a great achievement, the way Akon is doing it is even more of an achievement. Akon is using solar power as a safe and environmentally friendly way to provide electricity to these struggling villages and countries. Fossil fuels make up around 68% of the US energy consumption, which is not safe or good for the environment (Buczkowski). By using solar energy, Africa’s access to electricity is cleaner and environmentally sustainable when compared to western countries. Akon has helped over 600 million people and raised over 1 billion dollars for people living in Africa, a feat that is not easy to achieve (Captain Planet). The success of Akon’s project proved to many charities and organizations that having both a local presence and practical solutions are key in solving many of Africa’s problems. Akon said himself that “One thing I’ve realized about Africa is that only the organizations that involve Africans themselves are successful.A lot of corporations that come with their own policies and try and implement them in Africa fail horribly. The advantage we had is that all three founders are African, so we were able to navigate through each country a lot faster” (Captain Planet). Akon’s achievements are something that has changed the lives for millions, which has led many people to say that Akon has done more in a shorter amount of time than most charities have done in many years.

            Akon Lighting Africa is a project that is going to go down in history as one of the most successful charitable acts that the world and Africa has ever seen. Providing over 600 million Africans with electricity through an environmentally safe energy source undoubtedly changed the lives and the future of the continent of Africa and the world. From once being a superstar who had it all, Akon showed the world that being a rich and famous singer is not the best achievement someone can accomplish but helping those in need is an accomplishment that will last you a lifetime.