Catalyzes both the ATP-dependent activation of exogenously supplied lipoate to lipoyl-AMP and the transfer of the activated lipoyl onto the lipoyl domains of lipoate-dependent enzymes. (R)-lipoate + ATP + L-lysyl-[lipoyl-carrier protein] = (R)-N(6)-lipoyl-L-lysyl-[lipoyl-carrier protein] + AMP + diphosphate + H(+) Protein modification; protein lipoylation via exogenous pathway; protein N(6)-(lipoyl)lysine from lipoate: step 1/2. Protein modification; protein lipoylation via exogenous pathway; protein N(6)-(lipoyl)lysine from lipoate: step 2/2. Monomer. In the transfer reaction, the free carboxyl group of lipoic acid is attached via an amide linkage to the epsilon-amino group of a specific lysine residue of lipoyl domains of lipoate-dependent enzymes. Belongs to the LplA family.