Mamadou Safaiou Barry, a Guinean Muslim who cycled across Africa on a second-hand bike to study theology at the renowned Al-Azhar University in Egypt, has received a surprise call from American actor Will Smith.

On a short film uploaded to Smith’s YouTube channel, Barry appeared shocked to receive a call from the megastar. “This is Will Smith!” a smiling Barry said. “A lot of your films I love.”

“I don’t know how to thank you Wallahi [I swear]! I don’t know how to thank you,” he said later when he heard about the gifts, The BBC reported.

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In the video call, the Hollywood megastar told Barry he was “deeply moved” by his efforts and gifted him a new bike and a laptop.

Smith knew about Barry’s 4,000km odyssey after his story was published by the BBC last October.

Carrying only a few clothes, a flashlight, and a screwdriver, the 25-year-old started his journey in 2023 as he couldn’t afford money for a flight to Cairo.

After four months, he concluded the 2,500-mile journey across seven countries, arriving in Cairo to get a full scholarship to the top Islamic university.

“When I saw him, I was confused in my head, because I had seen that man before,” the student said.

“Then I remember – it’s Will Smith! Wow… I used to watch his films; I didn’t know whether to run or to cry. I was sat on a chair in front of Will Smith!”

During the conversation, Smith told Barry “when you commit to a journey, the universe conspires to help you”, a reference to a quote by author Paulo Coelho.