MOPO Raises USD 6.7 M To Expand Solar Battery Rentals Across Africa

Clean energy startup MOPO has secured GBP 5 M (USD 6.7 M) from Norfund, Norway’s development finance institution, to expand its solar-powered battery rental service across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Founded to tackle energy poverty, MOPO operates solar charging hubs run by local agents. Customers rent portable batteries on a pay-per-use basis, offering an affordable, clean alternative to expensive petrol generators. Its devices range from the MOPO50—used for lighting, phone charging, and small appliances—to the MOPOMax, which supports small business equipment and e-mobility.

The company has already facilitated 28 million rentals and posted ~300% year-on-year growth, with backing from Octopus Energy and British International Investment (BII). CEO Chris Longbottom called Norfund’s investment “a strong signal that our model, combining impact, innovation and commercial return, is working.”

Operating in Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda, MOPO is targeting Africa’s USD 75 B generator market. Its R&D partnership with the University of Sheffield aims to drive battery efficiency and affordability, while international funding signals growing investor appetite for scalable, climate-friendly energy models.