M-KOPA Solar and Smartphones

M-KOPA is a pioneering fintech platform founded in 2010 by Nick Hughes, Chad Larson, and Jesse Moore. Originally launched in Nairobi, Kenya, the company revolutionized access to essential services through a 'pay-as-you-go' (PAYG) model. Its flagship products include solar home systems, smartphones, and electric motorbikes, all integrated with digital micropayment technology.

While the brand has deep roots in East Africa, M-KOPA is legally headquartered in London, UK, as M-KOPA Holdings Limited. The company has a significant manufacturing and assembly footprint in Kenya, including the largest smartphone assembly facility in sub-Saharan Africa located in Nairobi. This facility, launched in partnership with HMD Global, produces over a million devices annually to serve markets across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.

Ownership of M-KOPA is distributed among its founders and a diverse group of international investors, including British International Investment, Generation Investment Management, and Sumitomo Corporation. As of 2026, it remains an independent private company, recognized globally for its social impact and innovation in financial inclusion.