M-Kopa unveils expansion plan

Kenya: M-Kopa Solar plans to expand to the region in its bid to tap into what it says is a vast unexploited market, providing solar power to off-grid households.

The company has set up operations in Uganda and is going to Tanzania as well as recruiting partners that will sell its solar lighting products in other markets in the region.

The firm sells solar lighting kits to Kenyans in areas not yet covered by the electricity grid on credit and the regular payments are made using mobile money, a model that it said it would be exporting to the region where many rural homes are not covered by the grid.

M-Kopa Solar Managing Director Jesse Moore said the firm recently expanded to Uganda where it has reached 5,000 households and will soon be entering Tanzania.

"Mobile money is becoming popular there and the off-grid market opportunity is as huge as it is here in Kenya. We are beginning to license partners in other markets", he said.