Akon Raising Funds For African Lighting Initiative

The Locked Up hitmaker has been working on providing solar power to those living in rural areas, through his Akon Lighting Africa company, which he co-founded in 2013, and now he's set to launch a Solar Academy in Mali, where engineers will be taught how to harness the sun's energy.

The 42 year old is hoping to raise cash for his big sun-power push at the Passport Experience Festival this weekend (18-19Jul15) in Georgia, where a portion of all proceeds will benefit the Akon Lighting Africa initiative.

Reggae artist Gyptian, Nigerian singer Timaya and Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire will also perform at the festival.