bPOWERd has expanded into Nigeria with a solar battery rental service for homes and small businesses in Lagos, as rising fuel and electricity costs push more users toward off-grid power.
The clean energy tech startup, developed by bp, is launching across 7 sites in Lagos through a partnership with Mobil service stations. The stations will act as battery swapping and charging hubs, allowing users to pick up charged batteries and return drained units.
The service targets small businesses and households affected by unstable grid supply and generator costs. Users must complete know-your-customer checks with their National Identification Number and pay a refundable ₦15,000 deposit before receiving a battery.
bPOWERd offers 2 battery sizes. The 300-watt-hour unit rents for ₦1,500 a day, while the 1,000-watt-hour unit rents for ₦3,000. The company said the batteries can power LED lights, fans, televisions and charge phones and other devices.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
The rollout follows bPOWERd's launch in South Africa in 2025, where the company said it completed 125,000 rentals in its first 12 months. Managing Director Jonathan Lule said the Nigerian service gives small businesses and households access to pay-per-use power during a period of grid instability. Oluwole Ogidan, head of bp Global West Africa, said the rollout will also support local jobs through sales roles and partnerships with Nigerian solar technicians.
Key Takeaways
bPOWERd's launch in Lagos shows how Nigeria's power crisis is creating room for rental-based energy models. Many households and small businesses cannot afford full solar systems, inverters or large battery installations. They also face high fuel costs when they rely on petrol or diesel generators. A daily battery rental model lowers the entry cost because users pay for power when they need it, instead of buying the full system upfront. The use of Mobil service stations is also important because battery rental depends on physical access, charging points and trust. Nigeria's solar market is growing, but solar still accounts for only 1.5% of the country's energy mix, according to the Africa Solar Outlook 2026 report. That leaves a large gap for portable energy products, especially in dense cities such as Lagos. The challenge will be unit economics. bPOWERd must manage battery losses, charging costs, maintenance, deposit recovery and customer education. If the model works, it could serve kiosks, salons, food vendors, homes and small offices that need basic power without generator fuel.
