Pay-per-use battery rentals company Mopo, which operates in Sheffield, has secured funding of $7m from British International Investment to expand its operation to reach a million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It will use the funds to enhance access to sustainable energy for millions in urban and rural African communities which suffer from unstable or absent grid infrastructure.
The company’s batteries provide power for lighting, phone charging, and 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 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 fuel generation.
MOPO CEO Chris Longbottom said: “Our mission is to create a high-impact, sustainable solution that empowers households and small businesses by providing access to electricity without the burden of costly upfront equipment purchases. The partnership with BII aligns perfectly with BII’s mandate to finance initiatives that drive social and economic development. Together, we aim to make clean, affordable energy accessible to those who need it most, fostering growth within the communities we serve.”
Currently less than17% of the DRC’s population has access to electricity, ith the World Bank ranking the DRC among the 10 least electrified countries globally.
Mr Longbottom added: “We recently achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 23 million rentals across Sub-Saharan Africa, with the DRC emerging as one of our key growth markets. With a population exceeding 100 million and over 80% lacking access to electricity, the need in this country for our service is both compelling and substantial. This financing from BII marks the beginning of what we envision as a long-term partnership, enabling us to accelerate our ambitious growth strategy in the DRC and make a transformative impact on the lives of millions by delivering reliable and affordable energy solutions.”
Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, said, “Imagine a battery, that can power everything from phones to fridges, lights and larger appliances, enabling businesses even in the most remote locations, to thrive when the supply of electricity is non-existent or unreliable. This is why backing energy access is a key priority for BII to drive sustainable economic growth, particularly in Africa’s frontier markets including DRC.”
