Ghana is making strides in electric mobility through a groundbreaking £6.15 million initiative aimed at accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country. Led by Kofa Technologies, a local company specializing in clean and portable battery solutions, and PASH Global, an impact investment firm, the initiative marks a significant milestone in Africa’s transition to clean energy. The project, co-funded by the UK Government and Shell Foundation, was officially announced on September 17 by Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa.
The initiative centers on expanding Kofa’s battery swapping network in Ghana, utilizing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model to streamline the deployment and management of energy infrastructure. The project is backed by a £2.35 million commitment from Shell Foundation and the UK Government’s Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. An additional £1.4 million will support Kofa’s e-bike asset financing, research on the impact of multi-use battery technology, and operating expenses.
The expanded battery network aims to provide a cleaner alternative to petrol generators and motorcycles, addressing the persistent issues of air pollution and noise in urban areas. By introducing a battery swapping system, the initiative seeks to enhance access to clean energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and promote the widespread use of electric two-wheelers in Ghana.
Kofa’s CEO Erik Nygard emphasized the importance of the project: “This initiative is a significant step toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions in Ghana. With the support of our partners, we are building a foundation that will not only benefit local communities and businesses but also serve as a model for clean energy innovation across Africa.”
Kofa will manage the battery swapping network, ensuring that users can access fully charged batteries anytime. PASH Global, meanwhile, will support the operational maintenance, deployment, and management of the battery swap stations. The network targets the deployment of 6,000 batteries and up to 100 swap stations across Ghana, aiming to create an accessible, reliable, and scalable clean energy infrastructure.
PASH Global’s CEO Kofi Owusu Bempah highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership: “The collaboration between Kofa and PASH represents a powerful step forward in delivering sustainable energy solutions across Africa. With the strong backing of Shell Foundation and the UK Government, we are well-positioned to lead the charge in the e-mobility revolution, beginning with this transformative project in Ghana.”
Looking ahead, PASH plans to transition the swap stations to be fully powered by solar energy, further enhancing the environmental impact of the project and aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Shell Foundation, a UK-registered charity that supports clean energy initiatives worldwide, has committed £3.8 million to this project as part of its broader mission to catalyze clean energy innovation and unlock investments in Africa. The foundation’s CEO, Jonathan Berman, underscored the importance of partnerships in scaling clean energy solutions: “Collaborations such as these are vital in scaling e-mobility and clean energy solutions in Africa and beyond to millions of customers.”
The UK Government, through its Transforming Energy Access platform, has co-funded the initiative as part of its commitment to supporting innovative clean energy projects in developing countries. TEA is focused on enabling a just and inclusive energy transition, addressing the needs of over two billion people who rely on harmful fossil fuels for everyday energy needs.
Preliminary analysis indicates that electric motorcycles in Ghana are already up to 20% cheaper to operate compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with cost advantages expected to grow as battery prices decline. The project’s multi-use, climate-resilient model is designed to achieve economies of scale by aggregating operators and introducing interoperability, reducing costs, and improving service reliability.
Lord Collins of Highbury, speaking at the project’s announcement, emphasized the initiative’s significance: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the UK’s continued commitment to supporting clean energy initiatives across the world. This project not only fosters economic growth but also strengthens the UK’s partnership with Ghana, contributing to a greener, more resilient future.”
As Kofa Technologies and PASH Global work to scale this battery-swapping model across Ghana, the project is poised to play a critical role in Africa’s broader e-mobility revolution, offering a template for sustainable energy solutions that can be replicated across the continent.