Global asset manager WaterEquity has made its first investment under a new private equity and infrastructure strategy, committing $5 million to Kenya-based Savant Group Ltd., the parent company of SunCulture, a solar-powered water pump provider serving smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The investment, made through the firm's new Water & Climate Resilience Fund, marks a strategic shift for WaterEquity as it expands beyond microfinance and lending institutions into equity and infrastructure plays focused on long-term water and climate resilience.

“This investment reflects a milestone in our new strategy to support projects and companies that address critical infrastructure gaps and also build long-term resilience against increasing water stress,” said Aleem Remtula, Head of Private Equity and Infrastructure Investments at WaterEquity.

SunCulture’s technology offers small-scale farmers an alternative to diesel and manual pumps, enabling them to irrigate crops and access groundwater for daily needs such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning. According to the company, over 90% of users rely on the solar pumps for household water access—offering both environmental and social benefits.

WaterEquity’s backing will allow SunCulture to scale its reach and operations, potentially expanding access to reliable water for millions of rural households across the continent.

“We’re proud to be the first investment from their new fund,” said Samir Ibrahim, CEO and co-founder of SunCulture. “WaterEquity understands that water investments don’t fall into a single box—scaling water infrastructure can deliver both incredible impact and strong commercial returns.”

Tackling Rural Water Access and Climate Resilience

The investment aligns with WaterEquity’s broader goals of supporting decentralized, locally grounded solutions to water stress, particularly in rural areas where over 80% of the population still relies on water sources outside the home—a burden that disproportionately affects women and girls.

Water.org, the nonprofit founded by Gary White and actor Matt Damon—who also co-founded WaterEquity—is supporting the initiative by providing technical assistance. This includes water quality education for farmers and operational assessments such as a greenhouse gas emissions audit for SunCulture.

The Fund is backed by a mix of global corporate investors including Microsoft, Starbucks, Xylem, Ecolab, Reckitt, and Gap Inc., highlighting growing private sector interest in addressing the global water crisis through climate-adaptive infrastructure.

“This first investment marks a pivotal milestone for the Water & Climate Resilience Fund,” said Elan Emanuel, WaterEquity’s Managing Director and Chief Investor Relations Officer. “It reflects a shared commitment among our investors to advancing a water-positive future.”

With a pipeline of projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, WaterEquity plans to expand its infrastructure-focused portfolio in the coming months, targeting high-impact solutions across the water and sanitation value chain.