Nano-CuCo2O4 is synthesized by the low-temperature (400°C) and cost-effective urea combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies establish that the compound possesses a spinel structure and nano-particle morphology (particle size (10–20nm)). A slight amount of CuO is found as an impurity. Galvanostatic cycling of CuCo2O4 at 60mAg−1 in the voltage range 0.005–3.0V versus Li metal exhibits reversible cycling performance between 2 and 50 cycles with a small capacity fading of 2mAhg−1 per cycle. Good rate capability is also found in the range 0.04–0.94C. Typical discharge and charge capacity values at the 20th cycle are 755(±10)mAhg−1 (∼6.9mol of Li per mole of CuCo2O4) and 745(±10)mAhg−1 (∼6.8mol of Li), respectively at a current of 60mAg−1. The average discharge and charge potentials are ∼1.2 and ∼2.1V, respectively. The underlying reaction mechanism is the redox reaction: Co↔CoO↔Co3O4 and Cu↔CuO aided by Li2O, after initial reaction with Li. The galvanostatic cycling studies are complemented by cyclic voltammetry (CV), ex situ TEM and SAED. The Li-cycling behaviour of nano-CuCo2O4 compares well with that of iso-structural nano-Co3O4 as reported in the literature.