SunCulture Secures $5M to Scale Solar Irrigation and Water Access Across Africa
Kenyan climate-tech startup SunCulture has raised $5 million in funding from WaterEquity, marking the first investment from the firm’s newly launched Water & Climate Resilience Fund. The round is aimed at expanding affordable solar irrigation and clean water access for smallholder farmers and households across Africa.
Founded in 2012 by Samir Ibrahim and Charlie Nichols, SunCulture builds and distributes solar-powered irrigation systems designed to replace costly diesel pumps and reduce reliance on manual watering. Its products also double as multipurpose water systems, providing households with clean water for cooking and drinking alongside agricultural use.
The startup has become a pioneer in Africa’s push for sustainable farming, combining renewable energy with agriculture. Farmers purchase the systems through SunCulture’s “pay-as-you-grow” model, which spreads costs over time and allows lower-income users to access the technology without heavy upfront payments.
WaterEquity’s decision to back SunCulture is significant for more than just the capital. The Water & Climate Resilience Fund is supported by a pool of major corporates, including Microsoft, Starbucks, Ecolab, Reckitt, and Gap Inc. SunCulture becomes the fund’s first portfolio company, a move that highlights growing global interest in African climate-tech solutions.
“This investment strengthens our mission to make sustainable farming and water access more inclusive,” SunCulture CEO Samir Ibrahim said while announcing the deal. “Partnering with WaterEquity means scaling our impact while creating long-term resilience for communities most affected by water insecurity.”
The new capital comes less than 18 months after SunCulture’s $27.5 million Series B round in April 2024, which was oversubscribed and designed to accelerate the adoption of solar irrigation systems across sub-Saharan Africa. With this latest boost, the company plans to deploy more systems in Kenya and expand deeper into underserved rural markets across the continent.
WaterEquity’s investment is also a signal of confidence in the climate-tech sector at a time when smallholder farmers face increasing challenges from erratic weather patterns, groundwater scarcity, and rising fuel costs. By reducing dependence on diesel and offering clean, renewable water solutions, SunCulture sits at the intersection of climate resilience, agriculture, and energy access.
For African farmers, the impact goes beyond sustainability. Access to reliable irrigation directly influences crop yields, household income, and food security. For households, it means less time spent fetching water and lower health risks from unsafe sources.
As climate shocks intensify across the continent, solutions like SunCulture’s are no longer niche innovations but critical infrastructure. With fresh backing from WaterEquity, the company is positioning itself to play a bigger role in how African agriculture adapts to the future.
