SunCulture’s solar irrigation system. Image Credits: SunCulture
In an effort that reflects its deepening commitment to sustainable agriculture and clean energy access in Africa, British International Investment (BII) has invested an additional $4 million investment in SunCulture, a trailblazer Kenya-based company that specializes in solar-powered irrigation systems. This latest investment comes off the back of a prior $1.7million in 2023, which saw to the supply of 9000 solar irrigation systems to smallholder farmers in Kenya.
SunCulture was established by Samir Ibrahim and Charlie Nichols in 2013. Since then, it has changed the face of irrigation through its trademark RainMaker2 solar-powered system. The company integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology into its irrigation solutions. This ensures efficient water management as well as it reduces reliance on traditional, more expensive irrigation methods.
At the moment, SunCulture has sold over 45,000 units of its irrigation systems, enabling farmers in their thousands to scale productivity at minimal costs. This success has been attributed to the startup’s innovative financing model. SunCulture operates a “pay-as-you-grow” system that empowers farmers to acquire irrigation technology with little upfront investment, that is followed by affordable installment payments.
SunCulture has trodden the path of a game-changer for small-scale farmers with its solar irrigation system. Most farmers are held back in their productivity as a result of unpredictable rainfall patterns and the high cost of diesel-powered irrigation. SunCulture’s solution of harnessing solar energy provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution that enhances crop yields, increases farm productivity, and improves the livelihoods of farmers.
High-profile investors have been attracted to SunCulture’s mission to address Africa’s agricultural challenges. In 2024, Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, and Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Alphabet, participated in a $27 million funding round for the startup, alongside other investors such as InfraCo Africa and Acumen Fund.
The additional capital injection will help scale an innovative carbon financing scheme designed to reduce the upfront costs of SunCulture’s irrigation systems, making them financially accessible to up to 16,000 more smallholder farmers in Kenya. This capital injection will also help to accelerate SunCulture’s expansion beyond Kenya into Uganda, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Togo.
Christopher Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, said: “Our further investment in SunCulture will continue to reduce the upfront costs of solar irrigation systems, reaching more smallholder farmers in Kenya. This will increase farmland productivity and farmers’ incomes as well as improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change. As the UK’s development finance institution, we are proud to support a pioneering carbon financing pilot that demonstrates feasibility and attracts private capital. It exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing food security, and improving access to clean energy for all.”. Hastings’ endorsement reflects the increasing recognition of sustainable agriculture as a key driver of economic development in Africa.
Beyond creating unique products, SunCulture has introduced VeraSol-certified non-battery and battery-equipped solar irrigation systems to help farmers withstand climate change while supporting environmental conservation. Reducing reliance on diesel-powered pumps means that these solutions contribute to cutting carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change.
