Ghanaian e-bike startup Kofa is at the forefront of innovating Africa’s first versatile, swappable battery network, set to enhance its offering with the forthcoming launch of its second-generation Kore 2 Swap & Go network.
Kofa’s vision is to democratize access to affordable and user-centric electric power through a network that leverages portable batteries and green energy sources. The Kofa Swap & Go system represents a pioneering approach to energy distribution, featuring a network of batteries and swap stations that allows users to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in a matter of seconds, ensuring continuous power supply without delay.
This initiative has garnered support from notable partners including the Shell Foundation, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Wangara Green Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures.
Following the successful deployment of Ghana’s inaugural connected battery swap network centered around its Kore1 battery in early 2023, Kofa embarked on the development of the Kore2 network.
This next phase introduces significant technological enhancements that promise to revolutionize how urban communities in West Africa access energy, offering a complementary solution to the traditional electricity grid.
The Kore2 network, powered by cutting-edge proprietary IoT technology equipped with full Edge AI capabilities, marks a significant leap forward in making energy access more reliable and efficient. The system’s advanced IoT platform facilitates completely autonomous battery swaps, ensuring seamless operation even in regions plagued by poor or nonexistent internet connectivity.
Moreover, the network’s AI-driven features promote extensive customer savings through a high level of automation and self-diagnosing capabilities that enhance the overall user experience.
Through these innovations, Kofa is not just expanding its technological infrastructure but is also setting new standards for energy access in urban West Africa. By integrating these advancements, Kofa aims to empower communities, foster sustainable development, and contribute to the alleviation of energy poverty in the region.
The Kore2 battery, developed by Ghanaian e-bike startup Kofa, is setting a new benchmark in versatile and high-performance power solutions, offering a cost advantage of at least 30 percent over traditional petrol. Designed for a wide range of applications, the Kore2 battery is capable of sustaining the basic operational needs of a small urban store, including running a refrigerator, lights, and fans for up to 15 hours.
Beyond catering to low-consumption devices, the Kore2 is also robust enough to power high-demand tools such as drills, embossers, and power saws for durations of 2 to 4 hours. Moreover, it promises to deliver an impressive 100km range for the TAILG Jidi electric motorcycle, anticipated to hit the market in the first quarter of 2024.
Kofa has significantly expanded its infrastructure with an enhanced network comprising 12 strategically located swap stations throughout Accra, including several that are solar-powered. This network is currently capable of facilitating over 20,000 battery swaps per month.
With ambitious plans to augment this infrastructure with an additional 80 stations capable of managing 6,000 batteries by the end of 2024, Kofa aims to boost its service capacity to over 100,000 swaps per month. This expansion is not just about scaling operations; it’s also a commitment to sustainability, with the potential to offset 2,160 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually through the use of the Jidi electric motorcycle alone.
Erik Nygard, CEO of Kofa, articulates the mission behind the launch of the Kore2 battery network as a crucial move towards democratizing access to affordable and reliable energy in urban locales across Africa.
He emphasizes the network’s ability to bridge users to clean energy solutions that transcend traditional limitations imposed by physical connections, while simultaneously offering a cost-effective alternative to petrol. Nygard expresses optimism about the future, looking forward to extending Kofa’s reach and bringing its innovative battery solutions to a broader spectrum of homes, businesses, and vehicles throughout Africa.
