The Basics
What problem is M-KOPA trying to solve?
Lack of affordable, reliable electricity for off-grid households
Who is M-KOPA's primary stakeholder?
Low income off grid households
Name one country M-KOPA expanded into after Kenya
Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana
Does M-KOPA operate as a nonprofit or for-profit?
For Profit
What energy source does M-KOPA primarily use?
Solar
What country did M-KOPA first launch in?
Kenya
What major cost barrier does M-KOPA eliminate?
High upfront cost of solar systems
What common household cost does M-KOPA eliminate?
Kerosene
What environmental benefit does M-KOPA provide?
Reliance on fossil fuels/koresene
What does Moore predict about the traditional power grid?
It may become outdated
Which is the bigger issue: competition or access to customers? Why? (open ended)
Access to customers
What happens if a customer stops paying?
The system can be remotely shut off
How does M-KOPA create shared value?
Profit + Improved energy access
What is one social benefit of solar access?
Better quality of life (lighting, safety, productivity)
What is the biggest barrier to clean energy adoption in emerging markets?
Access to affordable financing
What tension exists between growth and mission?
Profit vs. affortability/impact
How does M-KOPA make money?
Customers pay for solar systems over time through installments.
Should M-KOPA expand to new markets or existing ones? (open ended)
No single answer → depends on strategy
What is a potential ethical concern with shutting off systems?
Leaving households without power
What financial model do they use?
Pay as you go
Name one of M-KOPA's founders
Nick Hughes, Jesse Moore, or Chad Larson
What is one major risk of this business model?
Customer default / non-payment
What makes scaling in new countries difficult?
Lack of mobile infrastructure, regulation, or financing systems
Should energy be considered a basic human right? (open ended)
Multiple Answers
Could this model work globally? Why or why not? (open ended)
Open-ended (depends on infrastructure, income levels, etc.)