KENYA – Ghanaian startup Kofa, a pioneer in battery network solutions, is set to expand its battery-swapping system to Kenya and Togo.
Currently rolling out an e-motorcycle in its home market, Kofa aims to establish an affordable, customer-driven electricity network powered by portable batteries and renewable energy.
Kofa has developed a multi-use high-capacity battery system named Kore2 and a battery swapping network, which supports its vision of a sustainable energy future in West Africa.
“Kofa’s core innovation lies in providing high-performance power through its batteries, which are not only cost-effective – being at least 30 percent more competitive than petrol – but also versatile in their applications,” CEO Erik Nygard told Disrupt Africa.
The company’s expanding charging and battery swap network across Ghana is projected to support over 100,000 battery swaps annually, facilitating a seamless transition to clean energy for various users.
Kofa has strategically partnered with TAIL-G, a globally recognized e-motorcycle manufacturer, to design the Jidi, a e-motorcycle tailored specifically for the African market.
The Jidi e-motorcycle, equipped with Kofa’s Kore2 battery, boasts a range of over 100 km, catering to the region’s mobility needs with a sustainable solution.
Kofa has partnered with Nigeria’s MAX, a pioneer in electric vehicle solutions in Africa, to offer financing options for over 2,000 Jidi bikes.
Nygard highlighted that Kofa’s founding team focused on creating the right infrastructure for electric vehicles in West Africa, emphasizing multi-use batteries and a robust charging network.
While other companies imported ready-made EVs, Kofa focused on developing efficient batteries and supporting infrastructure.
“Our primary competition is petrol. Whether it’s a small business losing money because of high-priced petrol generators or a delivery driver traveling across Accra with a polluting motorbike, Kofa is trying to solve the problems caused by existing petrol systems,” Nygard said.
Kofa began operations in Ghana in 2021 with the Volta motorcycle, deploying 40 units across Accra to gather market insights.
The second version, the Jidi, has seen significant deployment since January, with over 10 charging stations, 500 Kore2 batteries, and 150 Jidi motorcycles already in use.
Nygard noted that an additional 7,000 bikes are in the pipeline, and the company plans to operate across four cities soon.
Kofa’s expansion to Kenya and Togo is on the horizon, supported by seed funding from Shell Foundation, the UK’s FCDO, Wangara Green Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures.
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