Kofa, a Ghanaian e-bike startup, has announced plans to launch the Kore 2 Swap & Go network, marking the arrival of Africa’s pioneering multi-use, swappable battery platform. The Kofa Swap & Go system, built on affordable, renewable energy, is a customer-centric grid consisting of portable batteries and swap stations enabling immediate access to a fully-charged battery.
In early 2023, Kofa, aided by the Shell Foundation, the UK’s FCDO, Wangara Green Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures, introduced Ghana’s initial connected battery swap network using the Kore1 battery.
The second-generation Kore2 network, an innovative combination of proprietary IoT and full Edge AI capability, seeks to revolutionize urban energy access in West Africa by supplementing the existing electricity grid.
Kofa’s revamped IoT platform allows Kore2’s battery swapping to function autonomously, irrespective of internet connectivity levels. Furthermore, AI-powered network capabilities help users make considerable savings due to high levels of automation and self-repair functionality.
The highly adaptable Kore2 battery delivers high-performance power at a significantly lower cost than petrol. It can power basic appliances in a small urban store for 15 hours, large-wattage tools for 2-4 hours, and even offers a 100km range for the upcoming TAILG Jidi electric motorcycle.
Kofa currently operates a network of 12 strategically placed swap stations across Accra, with a combined potential of over 20,000 battery swaps per month. The company plans to expand the network with an additional 80 stations capable of handling 6,000 batteries by 2024, increasing the capacity to 100,000 swaps monthly. This expansion will help avoid 2,160 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually if used solely with the Jidi electric motorcycle.
Erik Nygard, CEO of Kofa, lauds the Kore2 network as a vital step toward providing accessible and affordable energy in Africa’s urban areas. “Our network connects users to clean energy anywhere, sans cables and wires, while offering significant savings compared to petrol. We aim to grow our network to bring our batteries to more homes, businesses, and vehicles across Africa,” he said.
