Shortlisted for the FT Africa Sustainable Futures Awards
Further recognition for a UK green tech transforming energy supply to millions in Africa
Overview
MOPO, a UK technology company at the forefront of sustainable energy access, is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards in the Access to Electricity and Infrastructure category.
This nomination represents a fantastic endorsement of how MOPO’s pay per use battery rental business in Sub Saharan Africa is at the forefront of sustainable power supply, transforming the lives of million through the provision of affordable power to families and small businesses across the continent.
MOPO is tackling one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most urgent challenges: lack of affordable, reliable electricity. This impacts the 600+ million people across the continent that live without access to stable power and severely limits opportunities in business, education, healthcare and overall quality of life.
A major barrier to energy access is the high upfront cost of clean energy solutions. Solar systems, batteries, and diesel/petrol generators are often unaffordable for low-income households and small businesses. MOPO solves this by offering a battery rental system powered by centralised solar charging hubs, eliminating the need for upfront investment, high-cost infrastructure, or consumer credit. Through a pay-as-you-go model, users rent clean, smart batteries via local agents in their communities. MOPO’s circular system ensures batteries are reused, tracked, and eventually recycled, making the solution both sustainable and scalable.
The company’s proprietary battery offerings are tailored to different levels of energy demand. The MOPO50 battery provides basic household energy for lighting, phone charging, and DC appliances, while the MOPOMax delivers one kilowatt-hour of 230V AC power, enough to replace noisy, polluting, and costly petrol generators. Customers rent these MOPO batteries in much the same way they might purchase fuel or access generator-powered charging points, making the experience intuitive and easy to adopt.
More than a battery company, and already employing over 1200 people, MOPO delivers a unique end-to-end infrastructure solution that spans product development, supply chain management, manufacturing, software, fintech integration, logistics, agent operations, customer service, and even end-of-life recycling. This innovative vertically integrated model ensures reliability, affordability, and adaptability in remote and underserved markets where other energy companies fail.
MOPO faces limited competition. Where there is no or unstable grid infrastructure, energy typically comes from expensive, unsustainable petrol generators. Mini-grid solutions, while effective in some cases, require heavy upfront capital, debt, are prohibitively expenses to fix, and often struggle to meet demand during peak hours, especially in the evening, without additional battery storage, which further raises costs. These constraints leave millions without viable, affordable energy options.
By removing the financial and logistical barriers that prevent access to clean energy, MOPO is transforming energy delivery across underserved regions. It’s simple but unique agent-driven, proprietary tech-enabled model makes solar energy flexible, accessible, and affordable for the people who need it most, positioning MOPO as a pioneer in Africa’s clean energy transition.
Chris Longbottom, CEO of MOPO, commented: “We’re delighted to be nominated for such a prestigious award that celebrates innovation and recognises businesses driving a more sustainable future. This recognition is especially meaningful to us, as our solar-driven battery rental model is making a tangible difference to millions of people and small businesses across Africa, where the need for affordable power is acute. With the awards on 22 October approaching, we have our fingers crossed, but regardless of the outcome, we’re thrilled to be recognised by the Financial Times alongside so many inspiring companies. It’s a privilege to be part of a movement that’s creating a brighter future for millions of people and for our planet.”