ATLANTA — Grammy-nominated singer Akon has a goal of bringing solar-powered electricity to 1 million homes in Africa by the end of the year, and the singer is using millions of his own dollars for the cause.

Akon started an initiative called “Akon Lighting Africa” this month. The singer, who was born in the U.S. of Senegalese parents and was reared in both countries, said he was “pained” after seeing people in the continent without electricity.

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Akon, shown in 2010, says so far his initiative has financed electricity for 100 homes. Reuters

“How could you build any infrastructure with no lights?” he said in a recent interview. “Without electricity, you can’t even operate the machines to build roads or bridges. …That’s what created the initiative.”

Akon’s project aims to install solar equipment in households to improve energy sufficiency. He’s partnered with Give1 Project, ADS Global Corp. SA and public-private solar energy companies. He also met with government leaders in Senegal, Gambia, the Ivory Coast and other countries.

“After certain hours, it’s completely pitch-black,” he said. “Even for myself, as a child growing up in Africa, it wasn’t that bad, but I know how life could be so much easier if they had those necessities.”

So, far, Akon said his initiative has financed 10 light posts and power for 100 homes in Mali and Guinea Conakry.

Akon has had more than a dozen Billboard Top 10 hits, including “Smack That,” “I Wanna Love You” and “Locked Up.”

– From news service reports

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