M-KOPA, only East African company on MIT’s 2017 list of 50 Smartest Companies

M-KOPA has been named to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review’s 2017 list of 50 Smartest Companies.

M-KOPA is the only company in East Africa to have made the 2017 list citing technological leadership and business acumen.

Nanette Byrnes, senior editor for business, MIT Technology Review, says, “The companies on the list combine a high level of technology innovation with a business model that will help them make the most of it. Public and private, large and small, based in countries around the globe, this group of companies is creating new opportunities and pouncing on them. These are the ones that competitors must follow.”

The ‘pay-as-you-go’ energy provider to off grid homes focuses on sun’s rays and mobile technology provide services to their customers.

Jesse Moore, Co-Founder and CEO, M-KOPA says, “We are delighted to make this list, alongside some of the biggest technology companies in the world. For us it is recognition that the off-grid economy is leapfrogging some more mature markets in technology and services adoption. M-KOPA is committed to providing affor dable energy, financial inclusion, information access and essential products for low-income households.”

The list is included in MIT Technology Review’s annual business issue, which is available online now and on newsstands worldwide on July 4, 2017.

MIT’s recognition follows certain accolades the company has received; In March 2016, M-KOPA emerged boldest at the Financial Times Arcelor Mittal – Boldness In Business Awards in the developing markets category, in February 2016, M-KOPA was recognised as the Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets at the Global Mobile Awards. In 2015, M-KOPA was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 50 Companies Changing the World and won the Zayed Future Energy Prize. M-KOPA has also won the 2014 Bloomberg New Energy Pioneer Award and 2013 FT/IFC Excellence in Sustainable Finance Award.