Akon is taking some time off from “Smack(ing) That” to revolutionize the way in which Africans live. Last year, the singer/rapper launched the charity “Akon Lighting Africa” to bring solar-powered electricity to 11 countries throughout Africa. That feat alone is enough to marvel at, but the musician has his sights on a larger goal: bringing electricity to 600 million people in Africa.
To accomplish this, Akon has opened a Solar Academy in Bamako, Mali to train and educate engineers on how to utilize solar energy. Akon Lighting Africa co-founder Samba Baithily told Reuters, “We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise.”
In a video released last month (which you can watch below), some of the benefits of solar lights in the aforementioned 11 countries were demonstrated, including providing lighting at night-time which curbs violence, allows merchants to extend their hours, gives children more time to study, and much, much more.
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[via The Independent]