MOPO Receives £1 million from ZE-Gen’s International Innovation Programme
Accelerating Green Energy Access in Africa with the UK Government
Overview
MOPO, a UK-based clean energy technology company specialising in sustainable energy solutions through pay-per-use battery rentals, has secured £1 million in funding via Innovate UK, on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), to expand its generator replacement MOPOMax pay-per-use battery rental business in Nigeria. Following the funding, MOPO is delighted to be joining ZE-Gen’s international initiative to end the use of polluting fossil fuel generators.
MOPO’s business is revolutionising access to sustainable energy for millions of households and businesses across both urban and rural communities in Africa, which suffer from unstable or no electricity infrastructure. It offers two types of MOPO battery rentals: the compact MOPO50, ideal for lighting, phone charging, and powering DC appliances, and the larger MOPOMax, designed to power larger 230V appliances, replacing petrol generators or serve as a battery swap solution for e-motorbike taxis.
Customers rent, return, and replace these MOPO batteries on a pay-per-use basis at MOPO’s solar-powered hubs, which are managed by local agents. This approach enables families and small businesses to access affordable electricity without the need for costly upfront investments in equipment or the need for consumer debt burdens. Furthermore, it provides a cleaner and significantly more cost-effective alternative to carbon-based electricity generation.
MOPO is one of six companies that have secured part of £4.84 million funding for the ZE-Gen Demonstrators from DESNZ as part of the UK Government’s £1 billion Ayrton Fund.
MOPO CEO Chris Longbothom said, “Our innovative pay-per-use battery rental model continues to be recognised as a high-impact solution for delivering affordable, sustainable energy across Africa. Access to energy is fundamental to economic growth, and MOPO empowers households and small businesses by providing electricity without the burden of high upfront equipment costs.
“We are already facilitating over one million rentals per month, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with ZE-Gen to finance the further expansion of our MOPOMax generator-replacement business in Nigeria, one of our key markets. Together, we’re making clean, affordable energy accessible to those who need it most, while fostering long-term growth in the communities we serve.”
Dr James Coombes O’Brien, ZE-Gen lead at Innovate UK said: “Taking innovations out of the lab and demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can create clean energy in real world situations in place of fossil fuel generators is something we’re delighted ZE-Gen can bring to life. By being a ZE-Gen Demonstrator, MOPO is joining a leading international programme and contributing to ZE-Gen’s collaborative work to benefit people and boost economic growth in the UK and internationally.”
ZE-Gen’s unique approach tackles market barriers to renewable energy-based alternatives to fossil fuel generators by uniting innovation, finance and skills to drive competitive market growth. The successful implementation of these Demonstrator projects will help develop new international markets, opening economic opportunities over the coming years.