Akon launches 'solar academy' that will supply electricity to 600 million Africans

Akon has launched a 'solar academy' that will supply electricity to 600 million people in Africa, according to Reuters.

The Senegalese-American singer announced that he’s launching a new “Solar Academy” in Africa as part of his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 600 million people across the continent. The academy is set to open in Bamako, the capital of Mali, this summer, and will teach African engineers and entrepreneurs how to produce solar power. European experts will be on hand to help with training and equipment.

Samba Bathily, who co-founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang, said taking advantage of natural resources in a continent that gets 320 days of sunlight a year makes sense.

"We have the Sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise. We expect the Africans who graduate from this centre to devise new, innovative, technical solutions. With this academy, we can capitalise on Akon Lighting Africa and go further," he said.