The expansion aims to bolster Kofa’s battery-swapping network, offering affordable and reliable electricity to customers.

Kofa has partnered with impact investor PASH Global to establish the SPV, which is backed by a GBP2.35 million (US$3 million) commitment from Shell Foundation and the UK Government’s Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.

This partnership will support the deployment of 6,000 batteries and up to 100 swap stations across Ghana.

The battery-swapping network will provide clean energy for electric two-wheelers, small businesses, and homes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Kofa will focus on managing the battery network, while PASH will oversee operational maintenance and deployment of swap stations.

“This initiative is a significant step towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions in Ghana,” said Erik Nygard, CEO of Kofa Technologies.

“With the support of our partners, we are building a foundation that will benefit local communities and businesses.”

The expansion is part of Kofa’s broader goal to create a sustainable energy future in West Africa. The startup has also announced plans to expand its operations to Kenya and Togo.

The company’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Cornel Osigwe, confirmed the development.

Osigwe shared a video of himself test-driving the new electric vehicle, marking a milestone in IVM’s journey towards sustainable transportation.

While specific details about the vehicle’s pricing, specifications, and commercial release timeline remain undisclosed, the announcement is a major boost for Nigeria’s growing electric vehicle market.

Innoson’s entry into the electric vehicle space comes as the country faces rising fuel prices and increasing interest in cleaner transportation options.

The government’s ambitious target of having 30% of all vehicles electric by 2025 has further spurred the development of the electric vehicle industry in Nigeria.

As the country continues to embrace electric mobility, Innoson’s locally produced electric vehicle could play a significant role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable transportation.

This expansion brings the total number of hubs within the network to 496, spread across 261 cities in 53 African nations.

The newly admitted hubs represent a diverse range of regions and sectors, strengthening AfriLabs’ presence across the continent.

Notable additions include the SU LaunchLab in Stellenbosch, South Africa, marking AfriLabs’ first presence in the city.

Other notable additions include ScaleUp Namibia, OceanHub Africa, and the Graca Machel Trust’s Women Creating Wealth initiative in Southern Africa.

In North Africa, DigiArtLivingLab (DALL) has joined the network in Tunis and Nabeul, Tunisia, alongside Connect’Innov and The Dot.

Egypt has also welcomed PTS Investments Holdings and Aria Ventures to its network.

Western Africa has seen the addition of Mswitch in Abuja, Nigeria, while Eastern Africa has welcomed AFRICA TECH SPACE in Nakuru, Kenya; Owl Innovation Labs in Nairobi, Kenya; RLabs Tanzania in Iringa, Tanzania; and AfriFORTIFIED HUB in Kisumu, Kenya.

Central Africa has expanded its network with Ovation and KIVUTECH in Kinshasa and Bukavu, DRC, respectively; Revival Innovation Hub in Bua, Cameroon; and DIAMBILAY BUSINESS CENTER in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.

“We are thrilled to welcome these new hubs to our growing community,” said Mayssa Mrabet, AfriLabs director of community.

“Their unique perspectives and contributions will further strengthen our ability to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.”

The collaboration grants Liquid exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private network 5G access solution in these markets.

This innovative technology is poised to revolutionize industries, particularly mining in Africa, by enhancing the 5G experience and supporting AI-driven applications.

Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the potential for providing large enterprises like mines with their own 5G private networks capable of supporting advanced services such as AI.

Liquid will offer comprehensive customer support for Globalstar’s products and services, including technical assistance and warranty coverage.

The partnership also explores potential expansion into Globalstar’s satellite, Band n53 spectrum, and IoT solutions.

Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar, emphasized the significant market potential for their technology in the regions served by Liquid.

He highlighted the unique capabilities of the XCOM RAN product in enabling mission-critical wireless applications, particularly when combined with Globalstar’s n53 midband spectrum.

The partnership aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced wireless technology across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf.

The historic journey, which took place between August 7 and 11, 2024, transported 96 passengers between Lagos and Cotonou.

This achievement underscores Treepz’s commitment to providing innovative and reliable transportation solutions across Africa.

The company has consistently been at the forefront of the mobility sector, having transported over 5 million passengers within its existing markets of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda through its rental marketplace.

Onyeka Akumah, Founder and CEO of Treepz, expressed pride in the company’s accomplishment.

“This is a momentous occasion for Treepz. We are excited to be pioneers in cross-border transportation and to demonstrate our capacity to meet the growing demand for efficient mobility solutions across Africa,” Akumah said.

The round trip, covering nearly 1400 kilometers, involved a fleet of five well-maintained buses equipped with insurance, tracking, and communication systems to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

Beyond cross-border rentals, Treepz offers a comprehensive suite of corporate mobility services, including employee transportation, event logistics, airport transfers, and school bus shuttles.

This latest achievement solidifies Treepz’s position as a leading player in the African mobility industry, setting a new standard for cross-border transportation services.

The ambitious undertaking involves the installation of over 13,000 solar panels across an area of approximately 28,100 square meters.

This massive solar array will generate a total of 6 megawatts of electricity, significantly reducing the shopping centre’s reliance on the grid.

The decision to invest in solar power comes in response to the ongoing load-shedding challenges faced by South Africa.

Eastgate’s parent company, Liberty Two Degrees, has committed to a sustainable future and aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

“This is a monumental achievement for Eastgate and a testament to our dedication to environmental responsibility,” said Melinda Isaacs, L2D’s Developments executive.

“By reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring uninterrupted operations during load shedding, we are creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our customers, tenants, and the community.”

The completed solar installation is expected to generate substantial energy savings and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Eastgate Shopping Centre remains committed to providing a seamless shopping experience for its customers, even during challenging times.

This innovative platform aims to tackle the challenges of financial exclusion, exorbitant transaction fees, and limited banking access prevalent in many African countries.

At the core of the NeoNomad platform is ZARcoin (ZARC), a stablecoin pegged to the South African Rand.

By seamlessly integrating cryptocurrency and traditional currency, ZARC facilitates swift and secure digital transactions both domestically and internationally.

The platform also ensures transparency and accountability through rigorous adherence to anti-money laundering, counter-financing of terrorism, know-your-customer, and privacy regulations.

“Our goal is to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions,” said Hanres Beukes, CEO of NeoNomad. “By creating a robust financial ecosystem, we aim to overcome barriers like infrastructure limitations and enable greater financial participation.”

Leveraging Solana Pay technology, the NeoNomad app offers instant, low-cost transactions through a decentralized e-banking system.

Users can effortlessly make cryptocurrency payments at physical stores by scanning QR codes, thanks to seamless integration with existing point-of-sale systems.

NeoNomad’s hybrid exchange platform represents a significant step forward in financial inclusion for Africa, promising to transform people’s interactions with money.