Akon’s Wife Rozy in Uganda to Invest over USD12M in Solar, Entertainment

Rozina Negusei a wife to a music star, Akon (Aliaune Thiam) has arrived in the country to take up investment in Solar energy, Agriculture, Biosecurity and Entertainment industry.

Negusei who is in the country upon invitation by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Amb. Abbey Walusimbi says that they look at Uganda as their next home given the enormous business opportunities and the favorable economic environment.

Negusei says that the solar power project shall be implemented through ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ a project that was started in 2014 by her husband with the aim of providing electricity by solar energy in Africa.

We are here to explore new opportunities in Uganda, we are focused on investing in Agriculture since people can’t live without food, solar and real estate. Our main focus is to see how we can bridge the gap between East Africa and West Africa in terms of business and trade,” Negusei said while addressing the media at Latitude Hotel in Makindye.

She adds that as a serial entrepreneur, having previously founded successful ventures in the entertainment and fashion industries, she is to work hand in hand with Akon to invest in Uganda’s entertainment industry which she termed as so promising despite the challenges that have been brought up by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Negusei believes that Uganda can become Africa’s Hollywood once all players in the industry including government work hand in hand to promote its development.

“We definitely wanted to bring entertainment in Africa, we are looking for a hub, a home to be the Africa Hollywood; America became America not because of Agriculture but because of entertainment industry. If we bring entertainment whether movie, music award, every year, Uganda can become the home of the entertainment industry,” Negusei said.

She added that, “It’s our job to bring the African movies, music, take it to the next level by recognizing ourself, we don’t have to wait for other cultures to recognize us, we are good enough to recognize ourselves.”

For the start, Negusei has earmarked a sum of $12, 000, 000 (Shs43, 800, 000, 000) as an investment package for a period of five years.

Negusei came alongside a group of Turkish investors under LCB Worldwide, a multinational company who invests in host countries points of entry to conduct Prevention Solutions to combat pathogens which could lead to pandemics.

Giovanni Lettieri one of the Founders of the company noted that according to their study, it is estimated that the initial investments for such a project in Uganda would be at 22.000.000 USD for all the entry and exit points which costs will be covered by them.

“We are in the biosecurity business, we cater boarder crossing of the country, airports, ports, the airports is the first place where virus enters through the country which is a first place to secure. When in the country, we provide for disinfection of public buildings like schools, market places in an effort to reduce illnesses or contaminations,” Lettieri said.

The team of investors will be in the country for a period of one week visiting different government agencies as well as the private sector for an investment tour.

Isaac Kigozi, the Managing Director East African Partners (EAP)  a company that is running a campaign encouraging African Americans to return home to take up several investments noted that Rozy’s coming to Uganda is an answer to the call and will help boost Uganda’s entertainment industry.

“We welcome Rozy and the group to Uganda, their coming here is timely; it is time for Africans to build their home countries through taking up several investments as well as opening up markets for African products,” Kigozi said.