MOPO, a UK technology company at the forefront of sustainable energy access, has secured a £5 million from Norfund, the Norwegian Government’s investment fund to scale its solar-powered battery rental model.
The investment will help create jobs, improve lives, and support the transition to net zero in developing countries and adds to the backing from Octopus Energy and BII, signalling growing international momentum.
“We’re delighted to welcome Norfund as the Chris Longbottom, CEO of MOPO, “This is a strong signal that our model, combining impact, innovation, and commercial return, is working. With Octopus and BII already behind us, Norfund’s support reinforces the belief that MOPO is a standout solution to the clean energy challenge. Demand is growing fast across Sub-Saharan Africa, and this investment will help us scale even faster to meet it.”
With a presence in Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad and Uganda, with over 28 million rentals already completed, the firm will use the funds to scale its pay-per-use battery rental system to more households and businesses.
Its two core products, MOPO50 for lighting, phone charging and small appliances, and MOPOMax for higher-load devices, generators, small businesses and e-mobility, are designed to replace expensive and polluting fossil fuel alternatives.
“We are excited to share that Norfund has invested £5 million in MOPO. MOPO has demonstrated innovation in its offerings, providing climate-friendly solutions improving energy access in underserved areas in particularly challenging markets. Norfund is delighted to back MOPO’s ongoing expansion and its efforts to bring access to sustainable energy to those who need it most,” said Pål Helgesen, Investment Director, Norfund.
With a vast addressable market, as around one billion people in Africa still lack access to reliable electricity, and a proven product-market fit, MOPO is well-positioned for rapid expansion. The $75 billion-a-year petrol generator market, especially relevant for MOPO’s larger MOPOMax battery, is particularly primed for clean disruption.
Notably, MOPO has also recently attracted significant backing from Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, and British International Investment (BII), the UK Government’s development finance institution.
MOPO’s battery rental service is making a huge impact on lives in Sub-Saharan Africa where it already operates in six countries. MOPO’s business is based on the rental of its unique MOPO batteries from solar powered charging hubs that are managed by a network of local agents. Its portfolio includes the MOPO50 battery, which provides basic household energy access for lighting, phone charging and Direct Current (DC) appliances; and the MOPOMax, a 1kWh battery for AC appliances which is used to replace fossil fuel generators.
Each MOPO battery can be tracked via the MOPO Platform to determine whether it is with an agent, a customer, or has reached the end of its life and is ready to be recycled. MOPO batteries are controlled through integrated technology, ensuring energy is only discharged upon agent payment through the bespoke MOPO App. With committed plans to roll out its service across Africa, MOPO already has operations in Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda.
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https://techmoran.com/2025/09/08/mopo-raises-5-million-to-scale-its-solar-powered-battery-rental-model/
