MOPO, an Africa-focused clean energy company backed by Octopus Energy Group, has signed a $75 million agreement with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to significantly expand its battery rental operations across the country by 2030. The partnership is aimed at improving access to affordable, reliable, and clean electricity for households and small businesses, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities.
Under the agreement, the programme will commence with a pilot phase later in 2026 before being scaled nationwide over the following five years. The investment supports the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand electricity access through decentralised renewable energy solutions while complementing ongoing rural electrification initiatives.
MOPO’s business model enables customers to rent rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for short periods rather than purchase expensive solar home systems, generators, or battery storage equipment outright. The batteries are charged at solar-powered hubs and exchanged through a network of local agents, providing users with a flexible, pay-as-you-go energy solution that significantly lowers the upfront cost of accessing electricity.
According to Luke Burras, MOPO’s Chief Operating Officer, the battery rental model addresses many of the affordability and utilisation challenges associated with conventional off-grid electrification systems.
“We rent batteries to customers for hours. We’re not asking them to buy an asset in the case of solar home systems, and we’re not asking investors to place a huge bet on their future usage as with mini-grids.”
The company said the initiative will improve access to dependable electricity for homes, micro-enterprises, and small businesses that currently rely on costly petrol and diesel generators or have limited access to grid power. By providing clean, portable energy on demand, the programme is expected to reduce energy costs, improve productivity, and lower carbon emissions.
MOPO has steadily expanded its footprint across Sub-Saharan Africa, having completed millions of battery rentals through its “Battery-as-a-Service” platform. In Nigeria, the company has previously received investment support from renewable energy investors to scale its operations, and the new partnership with the REA is expected to accelerate nationwide deployment of battery hubs and distribution networks.
Industry analysts believe the collaboration reflects Nigeria’s growing emphasis on innovative off-grid energy solutions as the country seeks to close its electricity access gap. Battery rental services offer a practical alternative for households and businesses that cannot afford the high capital cost of solar installations while providing a cleaner substitute for fossil-fuel-powered generators. The agreement also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader renewable energy and rural electrification agenda, which aims to expand access to affordable electricity, stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and promote sustainable development through increased private-sector participation in the energy sector.
