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Iheb Triki is Innovating Solutions for Water Scarcity through Solar-Powered Technology

Iheb Triki is Innovating Solutions for Water Scarcity through Solar-Powered Technology

Iheb Triki is a visionary entrepreneur, engineer, and thought leader in the fields of water scarcity and renewable energy.

He is the co-founder and CEO of Kumulus Water, a company that develops innovative solutions to address the global water crisis by converting air into clean drinking water using solar-powered technology.

His work aims to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of the modern era: providing sustainable access to potable water, particularly in regions facing severe droughts and water stress, such as North Africa and the Middle East.

Born and raised in Tunisia, Iheb was acutely aware of the impacts of water scarcity, as the region suffers from periodic droughts and a growing demand for water resources.

His passion for solving real-world challenges led him to pursue an extensive academic career.

He earned his Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, and prior to that, he studied at the prestigious École Polytechnique in France, where he specialized in mechanical engineering and economics.

Before founding Kumulus Water, Iheb built an impressive career in the fields of consulting, finance, and renewable energy.

He began his professional journey at The Boston Consulting Group, where he worked on strategic projects across various industries.

His experience in private equity spans nearly seven years, during which he specialized in renewable energy and infrastructure investments across the Middle East and Africa.

As executive Director at Swicorp, he oversees sustainable infrastructure investments, particularly focusing on developing and operating assets in the energy and water sectors.

Iheb also served as an advisor to the Tunisian Ministry of Energy and played a key role in shaping renewable energy policies.

In 2021, Iheb co-founded Kumulus Water with the mission of delivering a groundbreaking technology capable of providing safe, clean drinking water by extracting moisture from the air.

The startup’s flagship product is a solar-powered atmospheric water generator that captures air, filters it, and condenses the humidity into drinkable water.

The machine produces 20 to 30 liters of water per day, and its reliance on solar energy makes it highly sustainable and ideal for remote or off-grid areas.

This solution addresses critical challenges in both water access and climate change by reducing the need for plastic water bottles and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from water transportation.

Kumulus Water’s technology has attracted attention for its potential to serve millions of people globally who are living in water-scarce regions.

According to UN estimates, over 2 billion people worldwide experience water stress. Iheb’s innovation presents a concrete, scalable solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Iheb’s leadership and vision have earned him several accolades. In 2021, he was recognized by the Choiseul Institute as one of the Top 100 Young African Leaders, a prestigious honor highlighting his contributions to innovation and sustainability.

His company has also gained international recognition, securing substantial funding to scale its operations.

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Equator Africa Secures Additional $5 Million from IFC to Boost African Climate Tech Innovation

New Investments

Equator Africa Secures Additional $5 Million from IFC to Boost African Climate Tech Innovation

Equator Africa, a venture capital firm, has secured an additional $5 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support businesses and foster innovation within Africa’s climate tech sector.
 

This new capital injection follows an initial close of $40 million in April 2023, aimed at bridging the persistent funding gap for climate tech startups, particularly those in the seed and Series A stages across sub-Saharan Africa.

A key component of the final investment is a $1.5 million guarantee provided by the Korea Green Resilient and Innovative Development (K-GRID) Programme.

Farid Fezoua, IFC’s Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of climate tech in Africa.

He noted that businesses in this sector are not only contributing to economic growth but also helping to reduce emissions and resource consumption.

“IFC’s investment in Equator Africa reflects our commitment to supporting these businesses to deliver solutions, from renewable energy to electric vehicles,” he said.

Equator Africa focuses on early-stage, tech-enabled companies in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular interest in sectors such as green energy, agriculture, and mobility.

While its primary focus is on Kenya and Nigeria, the fund has also made investments in companies operating in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zambia.

Among the six companies that have already received funding from Equator Africa are SunCulture, a Kenyan company providing solar-powered energy and irrigation systems for farmers, and Roam, a company that designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and buses.

Additionally, Odyssey, a platform specializing in investment and asset management for distributed renewable energy infrastructure, has also benefitted from the fund.

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