While many entertainers are worried about their “Shine”, Akon continues to focus on harnessing the power of the sun’s shine for the betterment of African people.

People are familiar with Akon’s Lighting Africa initiative whose goal is to provide 600 million Africans with electricity they currently lack. However, last week he announced the launch of a new “Solar Academy” for African’s to learn how to build, manage and fix the systems, grids, and platforms necessary to provide electricity.

From The Source:

The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Mali, will train African engineers and entrepreneurs with the skills 

The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Mali, will train African engineers and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to develop solar-powered electricity systems and micro grids. Training equipment and programs will be supplied by European angel investors.

Harnessing solar energy is an ideal way to enable those Africans without electricity to get it since Africa has 320 days of sunshine a year. Samba Baithily co-founder of Akon Lighting Africa said,

“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise.”

Many people in the global black community are talking about change, but Akon is putting his time, money and celebrity where his mouth is and creating it.

Hats off to this young brother. The UI community salutes you.

What do you think of Akon’s Solar Academy?

Source: TheSource.com