South African clean energy startup bPOWERd has entered the Nigerian market with the launch of a solar-powered battery rental solution aimed at households and small businesses struggling with unreliable electricity supply and increasing fuel prices.
The company officially introduced the service in Lagos through a partnership with Mobil service stations, which will operate as battery charging and swapping centres across seven locations in the state.
The expansion comes as demand for alternative energy solutions continues to rise in Nigeria due to persistent grid instability, high diesel costs, and growing dependence on off-grid power systems.
Brandspur Energy News Desk reports that bPOWERd’s business model focuses on providing affordable, pay-per-use energy solutions through portable solar-charged batteries that can be rented daily by consumers and business operators.
According to the company, customers will be required to complete a Know-Your-Customer verification process using their National Identification Number before accessing the service. Users are also expected to pay a refundable deposit of ₦15,000 before receiving a battery unit.
The startup introduced two battery categories, including a 300-watt-hour option rented at ₦1,500 per day and a 1000-watt-hour battery available for ₦3,000 daily.
Company officials explained that the batteries are designed to power essential household and business appliances such as LED lighting systems, fans, televisions, and mobile devices.
Users can recharge depleted batteries by returning them to designated swap stations located at participating service centres, where fully charged replacement units will be issued.
Managing Director of bPOWERd, Jonathan Lule, said the company’s entry into Nigeria is targeted at supporting small businesses and households seeking reliable and cost-effective energy alternatives.
He noted that many businesses continue to face operational difficulties caused by unstable electricity supply and rising energy expenses.
Head of bp Global West Africa, Oluwole Ogidan, stated that the initiative also aims to support local employment opportunities through collaborations with Nigerian solar technicians and on-site energy service personnel.
Nigeria’s renewable energy sector has continued to attract investment as consumers increasingly adopt solar technologies to address electricity shortages and reduce operating costs.
Industry reports indicate that solar energy remains a small but growing component of Nigeria’s overall energy mix, with demand expected to increase further as businesses and households search for cleaner and more reliable power solutions.
bPOWERd, which began operations in South Africa in 2025, disclosed that it completed more than 125,000 battery rentals within its first year of operation, a performance the company hopes to replicate in Nigeria’s expanding clean energy market.
