"We have the Sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise," he told Reuters.
The Senegalese singer has vowed to bring electricity to 600 million Africans after launching a solar academy as part of an initiative called 'Akon Lighting Africa'.
The charity says that the academy, located in Bamako, Mali, will assist engineers and entrepreneurs from all over the continent to grow skills that will enable them to grow the production of solar power.
Graduates from the academy will provide solar energy to millions of people in rural communities across Africa.
Samba Bathily, co-founder of Akon Lighting Africa, along with Akon and Thione Niang, said taking advantage of natural resources in a continent that gets 320 days of sunlight is the only logical step.
"We have the Sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise," he told Reuters.
"We expect the Africans who graduate from this centre to devise new, innovative, technical solutions. With this academy, we can capitalise on Akon Lighting Africa and go further."
Akon's philanthropic efforts have already garnered the support of thousands of fans as well as fellow musician Snoop Dogg.