Akon to raise funds for African lighting initiative

Los Angeles: Rapper Akon is hoping to shine the light on a power problem in Africa as part of a new solar power charity 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, reported Music Times.

The 42-year-old singer is hoping to raise cash for his big sun-power push at the Passport Experience Festival this weekend 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.