The investment from WaterEquity marks the first from a new Water & Climate Resilience Fund, backing SunCulture’s mission to expand water access for rural Africa.
Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture
Kenya’s SunCulture (site), a provider of solar-powered irrigation solutions and agricultural technology for smallholder farmers, has secured US$5 million in funding from WaterEquity (site), a global asset manager dedicated to mobilizing private investment for water and sanitation.
The company holds more than 50 per cent market share for smallholder solar irrigation systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its solar-powered water pumps and irrigation systems enable farmers to access water, reduce labor costs, and increase yields, while also improving rural households’ access to reliable water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Backing from WaterEquity
The investment comes via WaterEquity’s newly launched Water and Climate Resilience Fund. “WaterEquity understands that water investments don’t fall into a single box – scaling water infrastructure can deliver both incredible impact and strong commercial returns. We’re proud to be the first investment from their new fund and look forward to growing our business together,” said Samir Ibrahim, CEO and co-founder of SunCulture.
Aleem Remtula, head of PE and infrastructure investments at WaterEquity, said: “Rural communities face the greatest challenges in accessing reliable water, with over 80 per cent of Africa’s rural population using sources that require collecting water outside their home, a huge time burden for mainly the women and girls who are responsible. At WaterEquity, our Water & Climate Resilience Fund is designed to invest in decentralised, resilient solutions that can scale equitably. SunCulture exemplifies the kind of company we seek out – locally grounded, adaptation-focused, and committed to expanding water access to underserved communities.”
Building on Previous Funding
This latest round builds on SunCulture’s oversubscribed US$27.5 million Series B funding in April 2024, which was raised to fuel growth and develop new products. The US$5 million infusion from WaterEquity now provides further momentum to expand the company’s impact across rural Africa.
Expanding Access and Resilience
WaterEquity’s fund brings together a diverse group of global investors, including Microsoft, Starbucks, Xylem, Ecolab, Reckitt, and Gap Inc. Their backing is aimed at addressing critical infrastructure gaps and supporting long-term resilience against water stress. For SunCulture, the capital injection will support scaling operations and deepening its reach, with the goal of delivering affordable, sustainable water access to millions of farmers and their families.
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