Senegalese pop star to bring electricity to rural Africa

International pop star Akon is planning to bring electricity to 600 million people in Africa with his charity Akon Lighting Africa established in 2014.

Akon recently opened a 'Solar Academy' in Mali with the aim of pioneering advances in solar technology by educating engineers who will bring electricity to rural parts in Africa.

"We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions. With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further" said Thione Niang, one of the co-founders of the project.