'Akon Lighting Africa': Singer aims to bring electricity to 1 million homes in Africa

theGRIO REPORT - Singer Akon has launched an ambitious endeavor that aims to improve the lives of over one million people in Africa through his campaign 'Akon Lighting Africa'...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Singer Akon has launched an ambitious endeavor that aims to improve the lives of over one million people in Africa.

His new initiative “Akon Lighting Africa” hopes to bring electricity to one million households by the end of 2014 to help promote energy sustainability and sufficiency throughout the continent.

“The lack of electricity is currently a major problem in Africa,” reads the website for the campaign. “A significant number of households in rural areas and even urban cities do not have access to electricity. This is a real obstacle to Africa’s Sustainable Development.”

Akon, who is Senegalese-American, has partnered with local charities and corporations to aid in the efforts of the campaign by addressing Africa’s energy issue and installing solar equipment in households.

The “Right Now” singer will travel and meet with leaders in nine countries in nine days to discuss the project including Senegal, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo and the Ivory Coast.

Learn more about Akon Lighting Africa here.

Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works

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