Sheffield Startup MOPO Secures £5M to Power Africa’s Green Energy Revolution
Sheffield’s technology scene is celebrating as green energy pioneer MOPO secures £5 million in funding from Norfund, Norway’s state-backed climate investment fund. The boost marks a significant milestone for the startup, which has been steadily expanding its footprint across Africa. With this backing, MOPO is set to advance its mission of delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities that have long struggled with unstable power access.
Central to MOPO’s success is its innovative rent-as-you-go battery model, designed to replace expensive petrol generators and reduce dependence on unreliable national grids. Through solar-powered charging hubs, individuals and businesses can rent portable batteries that supply power for daily needs such as lighting and mobile charging, while also enabling more demanding uses like refrigeration or small-scale equipment.
The model has already gained widespread traction. Backed by prominent investors, including Octopus Energy and British International Investment, MOPO has grown rapidly across several African nations, from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to Uganda, Liberia, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With over 28 million rentals recorded so far, the company has shown the scale of demand for its affordable and practical solution.
Partnerships have also been key to MOPO’s progress. Collaboration with the University of Sheffield has helped refine its battery technology, making it cheaper and more efficient. This focus on affordability is critical in regions where household budgets are stretched and traditional fuel costs remain burdensome. For customers, the impact is immediate and life-changing. In Sierra Leone, for instance, one small business owner described how MOPO batteries allowed his children to continue studying after dark and kept his shop running without the financial strain of fuel expenses.
Chief Executive Chris Longbottom has emphasized that this investment is about more than just money—it is a validation of MOPO’s mission to combine commercial sustainability with social progress. He believes it proves that renewable, affordable energy solutions can stand toe-to-toe with outdated and polluting sources, while offering communities a pathway to economic resilience. The new funding will be directed towards scaling infrastructure, recruiting skilled talent, and keeping pace with growing demand in African markets.
MOPO’s journey is a powerful reminder that innovation and impact can go hand in hand. What started as an idea in Sheffield has become a vital resource for thousands of households and entrepreneurs across Africa. With this new injection of funding, the company is preparing to accelerate its efforts, shaping a future where access to clean energy is not a privilege, but a standard shared by all.
