31 Jul 2024

In a bid to enhance its operations and brand presence, Ked-Liphi, an innovation engineering enterprise, is planning to establish plants in South Africa and Rwanda.

Founded by Mr Kedumetse Liphi, the company specialises in electronics engineering, innovation, and military technology.

Mr Liphi’s standout innovation, the Cheza solar backpack, aims to tackle the persistent issue of electricity scarcity for students in rural regions.

These solar-powered backpacks enable students to study at night for five to seven hours, promoting learning and facilitating the uptake of clean energy solutions.

Speaking at the recent US-Botswana workshop on Research Technologies in Water and Energy Needs for Remote Austere Locations 2024 (WORTHWEEDS 2024), Mr Liphi shared that his innovation has garnered significant attention, both regionally and internationally.

“We have received numerous accolades and gained traction on a global scale,” he revealed in an interview, adding that the final product is set to launch before the year ends. The solar backpacks are designed to harness energy during the day, possess USB ports for charging, and provide lighting at night.

With plans to extend operations, Mr Liphi disclosed that Ked-Liphi had already registered the enterprise in South Africa. He stated, ‘Beginning of next year, we will be talking something different, as our intention is to establish plants in South Africa and Rwanda. We intend to identify agile young people in these countries who will become co-founders and gain a percentage in the business.’

Additionally, Mr Liphi expressed interest in penetrating the Nigerian market, noting discussions with a regional director of the UNDP who hails from Nigeria.

Cheza solar backpack directly targets African children without access to electricity, addressing educational disparities.

Last year, the enterprise was recognized as the best innovation and technology business locally, receiving a seed climate change adaptation award regionally and accolades for their contributions at the Dubai COP 2018.

Recently, they were invited by the United States government to participate in the global innovation through science and technology programme.

“This success demonstrates our innovation’s growth and the interest it is attracting. It significantly bridges the digital divide, enabling learners in rural areas to charge their gadgets and access educational materials like their peers in electrified regions,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Liphi announced a new partnership with the US Army to develop advanced solar backpacks tailored for military personnel, featuring tracking technology to enhance operational capabilities.

 Regionally, he acknowledged that the innovation was moving in South Africa and that they have a partnership with Dimension Data, which specialises in information technology.

Asked how much they had sold locally, Mr Liphi was quick to point out that they had not sold much because the support was not in action. 

People, he said, appreciated the innovation but they were not fully supporting the enterprise but noted that “we are pushing, knocking door to door to lure organisations and the government buy-in.

“Recently my team met with the Minister of Education and Skills Development to discuss and strategise on how we can incorporate the solar backpack in schools and we are still waiting for response because the innovation is going to improve academic performance,” he added.

As Ked-Liphi prepares for its expansion, the enterprise is poised to make a lasting impact on education and clean energy access across Africa.

The project, he said, was ongoing saying they anticipated to test and pilot the army backpacks before the end of August this year appreciating that the innovation was making global impact and promoting solar economy. Ends