Giving him the land to build it on, Senegalese authorities have embraced Akon as a "native son", introducing him by his given name Aliuane Thiam and praising him for investing in Africa at a time of such global financial uncertainty. He met with government officials on the grassy fields in Mbodiene some 100 kilometers (62 miles) outside the capital where construction has yet to begin.

Akon said the project already has secured about 1/3 of the $6 billion goal, but declined to publicly name his investors, citing non-disclosure agreements. He says after construction begins in early 2021, the first phase of the project alone could take more than 3 years, he said.