With over 95,000 households served in East Africa, and adding 2000 homes weekly, M-KOPA Solar has saved households over KES 6 Billion and has served 3Million mobile payment transactions since launch.
Today, M-KOPA Solar has introduced a Safaricom-branded solar lighting system dubbed M-KOPA III, its third-generation pay as-you-go solar home solution also wired to M-PESA.
With two LED solar lights and one solar rechargeable LED torch, and a larger 8W panel that gives 60% more charging capacity. M-KOPA III comes with a solar rechargeable radio, a mobile phone charger and a larger battery unlike its predecessors and is upgradeable to include two additional solar lights – sold separately.
Jesse Moore, Managing Director and Co-Founder, M-KOPA Solar, “We are now connecting 2,000 homes to solar every week, and even bigger growth lies ahead. We have over 300 staff and 750 sales agents across the country who earn a good income selling M-KOPA products and services. We welcome others to join our growing team and be part of this great company.”
says, ‘’We are very proud of the M-KOPA III product and our ongoing partnership with Safaricom. Together we are helping Kenyans get rid of kerosene, improve their standard of living and save money all at once. It’s a win-win for everyone.’’ as it steps up its campaign to provide clean lighting solutions to millions of homes that are not on the electricity grid.”
Following the removal of VAT on solar-powered devices, M-KOPA Solar has also announced a price reduction on the new units. Customers will now only pay an initial deposit of KES 2,999 followed by 365 daily payments of KES 40 instead of the initial KES 50.
The firm also announced that the KES 2,999 deposit is fully refundable at any time during the payment period and the system comes with a 2-year warranty. After 365 of KES 40 daily payments, the device is unlocked with no further payments required.
“With M-KOPA Solar, we have already connected 90,000 Kenyan homes to clean energy and with this upcoming suite of Safaricom-branded devices we aim to reach at least 1 million homes within the next four years”, says Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Bob Collymore.
Collymore added that M-KOPA III is more affordable compared to other lighting alternatives for people who do not have electricity. It also provides families with improved health, brighter light and reduces the risks associated with having a naked flame. Safaricom says by putting its brand on this device, it demonstrate their commitment towards harnessing mobile technology to build a brighter future for the country.
In April, the firm announced it had hit 60,000 sales with over 10,000 fully paid.
M-KOPA Solar provides affordable solar-powered lighting and mobile charging to rural Kenyans on a pay-as-you-go basis, with payment via M-PESA. Founded by the founders and former executives of Kenya’s popular M-PESA mobile money service, M-KOPA Solar works with Safaricom and solar lighting company d.light, and other experts to power rural homes in Kenya.
