SunCulture
Founded
2012 / 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Founders & Leadership
Samir Ibrahim — Co‑founder & CEO
Charles Nichols — Co‑founder
Location
Nairobi, Kenya, with operational reach into Uganda, Ivory Coast, and distribution agreements in Ethiopia, Zambia, Togo, and other Sub‑Saharan African markets.
Industry
Climate tech / AgriTech / Renewable energy — solar‑powered irrigation and water systems for smallholder farmers coupled with financial and digital services.
Overview
SunCulture develops solar‑powered irrigation systems and climate‑smart agricultural technology designed to empower smallholder farmers in Africa with reliable access to water, energy, and productive agricultural tools. The company integrates IoT‑enabled hardware with financing options like Pay‑As‑You‑Grow to extend affordability and resilience against climate challenges
SunCulture’s solutions help farmers increase yields, reduce water use and labor, and transition away from diesel‑powered pumps, while also contributing to local economic development and climate goals.
Core Features & Capabilities
Solar‑powered irrigation pumps for small‑scale farms.
IoT‑enabled systems for monitoring, reliability, and efficiency.
Flexible financing models (e.g., Pay‑As‑You‑Grow) that reduce upfront cost barriers for farmers.
Carbon financing and credits to lower purchase costs and support climate impact.
Partnerships and distribution agreements across multiple African markets.
Target Market
Smallholder farmers across Sub‑Saharan Africa needing affordable, sustainable water access for crops and household use.
Agricultural enterprises and cooperatives looking to boost productivity and climate resilience.
Climate solution stakeholders — investors and partners focused on sustainable agriculture, water access, and energy transition.
Value Proposition
Climate resilience: Reliable water access independent of rainfall and costly diesel pumps.
Economic uplift: Increased crop yields and income for farmers.
Affordability: Flexible financing reduces entry cost barriers.
Sustainability: Solar‑powered systems reduce emissions and contribute to climate goals.
Scalable infrastructure: Leveraging carbon credits and partnerships to expand reach and impact.
Funding & Funding Stage
Total Funding & Rounds
Series A: ~$14 million raised in 2020, led by Energy Access Ventures with EDF and others.
Series B: ~US$27.5 million in 2024 — oversubscribed growth round with participation from Reed Hastings, InfraCo Africa, Acumen Fund, Schmidt Family Foundation and others.
Strategic & Supplementary Funding:
~US$5 million from WaterEquity’s Water & Climate Resilience Fund (2025).
~US$4 million additional investment from British International Investment (BII) to support carbon financing and scale smallholder access (2025).
Household Solar Funders Group
Other financing: Syndicated credit facilities (~US$12 million) led by energy finance partners for inventory and receivables.
Africa Energy Portal