Rural communities face the greatest challenges in accessing reliable water, with over 80% 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.
Kenya’s SunCulture, a solar-powered water pump company, has raised $5 million to expand rural water access in Africa and help address these challenges in Africa. The $5 million growth equity investment to Savant Group Ltd., parent company of SunCulture, was from WaterEquity, through its Water & Climate Resilience Fund.
According to Aleem Remtula, Head of Private Equity and Infrastructure Investments at WaterEquity, “At WaterEquity, our Water & Climate Resilience Fund is designed to invest in decentralized, 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.”
Founded in 2012, SunCulture designs and sells solar-powered irrigation systems that make it cheaper and easier for farmers in Kenya to grow high-value fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2017, the firm launched RainMaker1 solar water pump system and a year after launched PAYG financing offering and raised investment from EDF and Energy Access Ventures to expand its operations in Kenya as well as to release further affordable products onto the market.
In 2019, the firm launched RainMaker2 and ClimateSmart, IoT connected, remote monitoring, ability to power a range of 12v & 24v appliances) and ClimateSmart Direct and Direct Drip the same year. In 2020, the firm launched ClimateSmart + TV offering and in 2021 it launched its My SunCulture digital platform to provide SunCulture’s first smartphone ready digital platform.
Still, SunCulture’s solar-powered water pumps offer an affordable alternative to diesel and manual water pumps. Designed for irrigation, the pumps are also used by more than 90% of customers to access groundwater for drinking, cooking, and cleaning – helping rural households meet daily water needs more reliably, efficiently, and sustainably. WaterEquity’s investment will enable SunCulture to scale its operations and deepen its impact – aiming to expand water access to millions of farmers and their families in rural Africa.
For it to achieve these, SunCulture raised $27.5 million in 2024 to scale up its solar irrigation solutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Nithio, a leading energy finance platform in Africa, also announced an investment in SunCulture. The cleantech start-up was also among seven African ventures recognized by WEF as 2022 tech pioneers.
In 2021, SunCulture received its first disbursement from a new $11m from SunFunder to help it expand solar irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020, SunCulture raised $14 million to accelerate direct sales in Kenya, continue to expand internationally, and fund existing product improvements and new product innovation.
Samir Ibrahim, CEO and Co-Founder of SunCulture said, “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.”
The Water & Climate Resilience Fund brings together a diverse group of global investors—including Microsoft, Starbucks, Xylem, Ecolab, Reckitt, Gap Inc, and others – whose leadership demonstrates the growing role of the private sector in closing the water and sanitation funding gap. Their commitment to the first fund in this new strategy underscores confidence in WaterEquity’s team to deliver on innovative investments aimed at improving water quality, increasing access, and reducing the impacts of water scarcity.
“This first investment marks a pivotal milestone for the Water & Climate Resilience Fund, demonstrating how collective action and strategic investing can scale water and sanitation solutions in emerging markets. It reflects a shared commitment among our investors to advancing a water-positive future – one that builds resilience, protects lives, and drives lasting impact in underserved communities.” said Elan Emanuel, Managing Director and Chief Investor Relations Officer, WaterEquity.
Operating with a shared vision of safe water and sanitation for all, WaterEquity works with the non-profit organization Water.org – both founded by Gary White and Matt Damon – to deliver innovative, market-based financing to communities who need it most. Water.org is partnering with SunCulture to deliver technical assistance through complementary initiatives, including a water quality education program to help farmers better understand, manage, and protect their drinking water sources. In addition, Water.org is helping SunCulture strengthen its operations through practical tools and assessments, including a greenhouse gas emissions audit that will include practical suggestions to reduce emissions.
With a growing pipeline across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, WaterEquity is positioned to expand its strategy and aims to deliver strong impact alongside risk-adjusted returns.