A Ghana-based startup of battery network solutions, Kofa, which is preparing an e-motorcycle for introduction in its domestic market, has eyes set on Kenya and Togo in the near future.
Kofa’s visions are to develop an affordable and customer-oriented power system that relies on portable batteries and renewable sources of power. It has unveiled a multi-use high-capacity battery system called Kore2, together with a battery swapping system for the continent of West Africa, to support a decarbonized future for the region.
“Our key value proposition, Kofa’s batteries, deliver high-performance power, stable more than PETROL, costs 30% more competitive than PETROL and is also more flexible for use,” CEO Erik Nygard stated.
This is coupled with charging and battery-swapping infrastructure that is being established across the country and would soon enable well over one hundred thousand batteries to swap monthly, making the switch to clean energy for different uses seamless. The newest Kofa has entered into an agreement with TAIL-G, a renowned electric motorcycle company in the world, to produce the Jidi e-motorcycle which is suited for the African market.
In detail, the use of Kore2 battery from Kofa allows the Jidi e-motorcycle to have another advantage, specifically over a range of over 100 km, and thus meet the mobility requirements of the region through a sustainable solution. The startup has also allied with Nigeria’s MAX, a leading provider of electric vehicle solutions in Africa, in a deal that will enable MAX to finance more than 2,000 Jidi bikes with innovative designs.
Nygard added that, its founding team at Kofa recognizes that there must be adequate infrastructure to support Battery Electric Vehicles in W/A particularly multi-use batteries, and Charging infrastructure. While other firms relied on importing compact ready-made EVs to the market, Kofa learnt how to make the market for efficient batteries and charging systems for the battery users.
“Our primary competition is petrol. Whether it’s a small business losing money because of high-priced petrol generators, or a delivery driver travelling across Accra with a polluting motorbike, Kofa is trying to solve the problems that existing petrol systems are causing,” he stated.
Kofa officially began its operation in Ghana in 2021 by launching the Volta motorcycle; it initially used 40 of these in Accra, to gather as much market data as possible. The second type of electric bike which it has produced is the Jidi and since this year starting from January, the startup is reported to have placed more than 10 charging stations, 500 Kore2 batteries and 150 Jidis.
Mr. Nygard said there are additional 7,000 bikes in the plan, and within 2 or 3 months the company will expand to four cities. It also intends to open in Kenya and Togo soon in the future. The startup secured seed funding from Shell Foundation that is funded by the FCDO of the United Kingdom, Wangara Green Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures.
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