African Solar Irrigation Startup SunCulture Raises USD 27 M Funding

SunCulture, an African solar irrigation startup that offers a Pay-As-You-Grow option that allows small monthly installments, has raised a USD 27 M equity funding round co-led by billionaire co-founder of Netflix Inc., Reed Hastings, and Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc. Other investors like InfraCo Africa Ltd. and Acumen Fund Inc, also participated in the round.

Nairobi-based SunCulture uses off-grid solar technology to provide its customers access to water and irrigation through its solar-water pumping system with high efficiency drip irrigation which enable farmers spend less and grow more produce. This initiative allows farmers to replace diesel-powered pumps, thereby enhancing yields in previously non-irrigated fields. Operating in Kenya, Uganda, and Ivory Coast, SunCulture also has distribution agreements in Ethiopia, Zambia, and Togo.