AKON Brings Light

Musician and Producer Aliaune Thiam, better known as “Akon”, is using his celebrity and resources for something other than making music these days.

Thiam, who is known for launching the career of mega-pop star Lady Gaga as well as his own, is now using his star power to bring light to people in Africa. To date, 600 million Africans still don’t have access to electricity.

This is 2015 and while being the most resourceful continent in the world, Africa is in the middle of an energy crisis. Imagine if you had to walk for miles just to charge your cellphone or if you had to use kerosene, which causes harmful fumes; to create a short lived power source inside of your home.

In attempt to tackle this huge problem, Thiam, and his partners Thione Niang and Samba Bathily formed the initiative, “Akon Lighting Africa”, to create an innovative solar power solution for the disadvantaged; living in the rural parts of the continent.

On December 15th, one of “Akon Lighting Africa's" affilates, “Solektra Solar”, will be launching the "Solektra Solar Academy" in Bamako, Mali and the academy will be the first institute in Africa; dedicated to solar technologies.

To learn more about the "Akon Lighting Africa" initiative and the “Solektra Solar Academy” launch, visit: www.akonlightingafrica.com and follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/AkonLightingAfrica