MOPO, the UK-based technology company revolutionising energy in Africa, has landed a £5 million investment from Norfund, Norway’s development finance institution.
The growing desire to provide reliable, sustainable energy to underprivileged African communities makes MOPO’s solar-powered battery leasing model a game-changer.
In Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda, the company has rented approximately 28 million times.
Solar battery rentals transforming African homes and businesses
MOPO’s pay-as-you-go battery rental service transforms how energy is accessed across Africa. The company operates solar charging hubs managed by local agents, renting batteries designed for different needs.
The MOPO50 model targets household essentials like lighting and phone charging, while the more powerful MOPOMax serves small businesses, generators, and e-mobility applications.
This system replaces expensive and polluting fossil fuels, giving customers affordable, clean power on demand.
CEO Chris Longbottom confidently highlights, “Demand is growing fast across sub-Saharan Africa, and this investment will help us scale even faster to meet it.”
He describes the partnership with Norfund as a powerful endorsement that MOPO’s blend of impact, innovation, and financial sustainability works well.
Norfund backs climate-friendly innovation in challenging markets
Norfund’s investment director, Pål Helgesen, emphasised the importance of supporting sustainable energy solutions in harsh environments with limited traditional infrastructure.
He said, “MOPO has demonstrated innovation in its offerings, providing climate-friendly solutions, improving energy access in underserved areas, particularly in challenging markets.” By backing MOPO, Norfund aims to accelerate clean energy penetration where it can drive the most social and economic benefit.
The injection of £5 million will help MOPO deepen local partnerships, speed expansion, and develop scalable technology to replace fossil fuel dependence throughout Africa. This strategic funding follows earlier support from Octopus Energy and British International Investment (BII), signalling strong confidence in MOPO’s mission.
The company’s scalable strategy, free of upfront consumer finance, lets individuals pay for energy in cheap increments, ideal for cash-strapped African households and companies.
MOPO’s approach is not just about energy; it’s about empowering communities with cleaner, more reliable power that fuels daily life and economic opportunity across the continent.