What if farming could heal the planet — and ourselves? In this episode of Impact Talk, Nadine Zidani sits down with Mohammed Aissaoui, founder of My Farm Dubai, to explore how one small farm in the desert is transforming the future of food, sustainability, and community. From regenerative agriculture and zero-waste farming to teaching school children and empowering urban growers, Mohammed shares the inspiring story behind building My Farm Dubai — an ecosystem rooted in circularity, education, and deep respect for nature.

What started as a personal passion has grown into a movement, showing that sustainable farming in the desert isn’t just possible — it’s necessary.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about climate resilience, food security, and reconnecting with nature in the modern world.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What it takes to build a zero-waste farm in the Dubai desert
• The permaculture principles behind My Farm Dubai
• Why community and education are essential for sustainable impact
• The real health benefits of reconnecting with nature
• How small-scale urban farming can scale for national food security
• Lessons in entrepreneurship, efficiency, and staying grounded
  About Our Guest:

Mohamed Aissaoui is the Founder and CEO of My Farm Dubai, and a fifth-generation farmer with a background in engineering. He blends low-tech and new-tech approaches to optimize organic food production while preserving the ecosystem. At My Farm, Mohamed champions circular farming systems as a pathway to food security in the UAE. His farm prioritizes quality, giving time for plants, fruits, and vegetables to grow naturally in forest soil—without disturbing the environment.

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In this powerful conversation, Nadine Zidani sits down with Ragy Ramadan, founder of NoorNation — a bold clean energy startup from Egypt on a mission to bring solar power and safe water to underserved communities across Africa. From quitting his full-time job to facing project cancellation just 45 days later, Ragy opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building a climate tech startup.

He shares how resilience became a core value at NoorNation, and why real impact requires more than passion — it demands persistence, sacrifice, and truth. We dive into the challenges of being a founder, the pressure of delivering payrolls, and the illusion of fast success in the world of social entrepreneurship. This episode is a raw, honest look at what it takes to bounce back — and keep going.

In This Episode, You’ll Gain Insights On:

• How NoorNation is transforming access to clean energy in remote rural areas.
• Ragy’s personal journey from corporate life to full-time purpose.
• The funding journey — and why choosing the right investors matters.
• Why innovation should come from within the region.
• The emotional and financial toll of building a startup.
• Advice for aspiring climate and impact entrepreneurs.

About Our Guest:

Ragy Ramadan is the founder of NoorNation, a clean energy venture aiming to empower 1 million people by 2028 through sustainable power and water solutions. With over 12 years of experience, he has trained 600+ professionals across the MENA region and is committed to impact-driven innovation.

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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk!In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jalil Allabadi, Co-Founder and CEO of Altibbi, the largest digital health platform in the MENA region. What began as a humble Arabic medical dictionary created by his father, has now grown into a revolutionary telehealth company delivering 24/7 doctor access, AI-powered health tools, and vital content to millions.

Jalil shares his journey of building Altibbi to bridge healthcare access gaps in the Arab world, from empowering patients with knowledge to innovating real-time doctor consultations via mobile—without even needing internet access.

We also unpack how AI is transforming the way medical information is accessed, the powerful stories of impact from underserved communities, and how Altibbi balances profit and purpose in a region where social entrepreneurship is still evolving.

In This Episode, You’ll Gain Insights On:

• The origin story of Altibbi and how it evolved from a physical dictionary to a health-tech platform.
• The critical healthcare challenges in the Arab world.
• How Altibbi provides 24/7 access to verified doctors within minutes.
• The power of AI in revolutionizing telehealth and personalized healthcare.
• Real-life impact stories from communities in Gaza, Jordan, and beyond.
• Jalil’s perspective on building a for-profit business with deep social impact.
• Why redefining social entrepreneurship in the MENA region is essential.

About Our Guest:

Jalil Allabadi is the co-founder and CEO of Altibbi, the largest digital health platform in the Arab world, providing 24/7 telemedicine, AI-powered health content, and access to certified doctors. A Schwab Foundation fellow and board member of multiple organizations, Jalil is dedicated to democratizing healthcare across the MENA region.

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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this inspiring episode, we sat down with Nivine Hachem, Co-Founder and CEO of Paltic, a Lebanon-based pioneering social enterprise tackling plastic waste in the MENA region through sustainable innovation. By transforming discarded plastics into eco-friendly panels, Paltic is reshaping the way we think about waste, design, and circular economies.

Nivine shares her journey from corporate finance to social entrepreneurship, highlighting the pivotal moments that led her to take the leap. From the challenges of having a sustainability-focused business in Lebanon to Paltic’s expansion to the UAE, she offers deep insights into resilience, impact investing, and the role of aesthetics in sustainable products.

In this episode, you’ll gain insights on:

• Nivine’s journey from corporate finance to founding a social enterprise with her business partner Hala Al-Naamani.
• How Paltic transforms plastic waste into innovative construction materials with their Eco-Friendly Panels.
• The challenges faced introducing Paltic’s Eco-Friendly panels to the public and the role of awareness in changing consumer mindset
• The importance of aesthetics and design in sustainable products to change consumer perceptions.
• The challenges of having a sustainability-driven business in Lebanon and the shift to the UAE.
• Practical tips to start your social enterprise in the Middle East.

Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

About Our Guest:

Nivine Hachem, Co-Founder and CEO of Paltic, a Lebanon-based social enterprise tackling plastic waste in the MENA region through sustainable innovation. Nivine began her professional journey in auditing and financial planning at global firms before her transition into social entrepreneurship, where she now drives environmental impact through innovative solutions.Recently recognized as the Most Innovative Climate Tech CEO of 2024, Nivine is a true advocate for sustainability. Through education, advocacy, and impactful business solutions, she’s inspiring a shift towards a more sustainable future.

Follow Paltic:

• Website⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Follow Nadine Zidani:

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
• MENA Impact Website⁠⁠

Don't forget to follow Impact Talk on ⁠Instagram⁠, LinkedIn and subscribe on ⁠YouTube for the latest updates. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you’d leave a review and share it with your community.

Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this thought-provoking episode we sat down with Rana Hajirasouli, Founder CEO of The Surpluss, a UAE-based Certified B Corp transforming underutilized resources into revenue through its patented climate-tech solutions, Rana challenges traditional sustainability narratives, pushing for cross-industry collaboration and resources efficiency.

From carbon tunnel vision to industrial symbiosis, Rana shares why businesses must move beyond carbon metrics and rethink how waste, energy, and materials are managed. This conversation unpacks the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships, and the surging B Corp movement in the MENA region.

In this episode, you’ll gain insights on:

• Why carbon tunnel vision limits real climate impact, and how to shift beyond CO₂ metrics.
• The Surplus Economy, a new business concept driving resource efficiency and innovation.
• The potential role of economic zones in the Middle East, especially in the UAE, in fostering sustainable collaboration.
• The role of industrial symbiosis in reducing waste and emissions through cross-industry collaboration especially in the Middle East, and driving economic benefits.
• The biggest challenges in pitching climate-tech solutions like The Surpluss to potential clients.
• Advice for organizations in the Middle East looking to implement circular practices in their operations.
• The Surpluss B Corp certification journey, why it matters and how it's evolving in the MENA region.

Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

About Our Guest:

Rana Hajirasouli, the Founder and CEO of The Surpluss, a UAE-based Certified B Corp company. The Surpluss is the world’s first B2B platform that transforms underutilized resources into revenue through its patented technology.Rana is a climate-tech innovator, systems thinker, and passionate advocate for climate-positive action. With over 13 years of experience, she is a recognized expert in sustainability, climate change, and the circular economy, empowering businesses to achieve resource efficiency through effective and profitable cross-industry collaboration.

Follow The Surpluss:

• Website⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Follow Nadine Zidani:

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• MENA Impact Website⁠⁠

Don't forget to follow Impact Talk on ⁠Instagram⁠, LinkedIn and subscribe on ⁠YouTube for the latest updates. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you’d leave a review and share it with your community.

Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this captivating episode, we sat down with Rana Askoul, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Khateera | خطيرة, an Arab women-centric creative house and digital media platform on a mission to mainstream and shape a progressive narrative for Arab women rooted in their culture and heritage.

Rana shares the vision and the inspiration behind Khateera, how it celebrates the intelligence and heritage of Arab women, the use of humor and satire in addressing social issues in the MENA region, and how the platform is driving social and behavioral change through deep, authentic Arabic content for the Arab women, with many inspiring stories and examples from the Arab world.

In this episode, you will gain insights on:

• The story behind Khateera and how its name symbolizes empowerment for Arab women, and what makes it a unique platform.
• The diverse team behind it, spanning different generations and backgrounds, and how this diversity fuels the platform’s depth and authenticity in content creation and the creative process.
• How it celebrates Arab women’s intelligence and cultural heritage, aiming to inspire and anchor them in their future aspirations and reshaping the narrative.
• The role of humor and satire in content and creative strategy, and how it is used as a tool for social change and challenging societal norms.
• Khateera’s massive online community from the MENA region and its impact, creating a space where tough topics can be discussed openly.
• What the media industry can learn from Khateera’s approach to creating deep, authentic, and culturally grounded content.

Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

About Our Guest:

Rana Askoul is Co-founder and Co-CEO of Khateera |خطيرة , She is also the Founder of Nara, a Dubai based healing space dedicated to indigenous healing and conscious living practices. Rana has over 20 years of experience within the public, private and non-government sectors. She held various leadership roles with Dubai Government, McKinsey Co. and GeneralElectric. In 2012, she quit a stellar corporate career to start her own consultancy fulfilling one of her heart's callings: working on equal rights and opportunities for women in the MENA region. She was the CEO of The Womanity Foundation driving the foundation's portfolio of USD 15 million in social investments supporting equal rights and opportunities for women in the Global South.

Follow Khateera:

• ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram
• YouTube
• ⁠⁠⁠TikTok
• Facebook

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• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, TikTok
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠MENA Impact Website⁠⁠

Don't forget to follow Impact Talk on ⁠Instagram⁠, LinkedIn and subscribe on ⁠Youtube for the latest updates. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you’d leave a review and share it with your community.

Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this thought-provoking conversation, we sat down with Saad AlRubaian ,a PR expert, social entrepreneur ,and Managing Partner of CYLKA to talk about his journey in the CSR space and the evolution of corporate social responsibility in the region.

Saad shares insights on the importance of authentic communication, the impact of collaborative efforts in sustainability and CSR initiatives , and the cultural perspectives that shape it in the UAE and the MENA region. He also discusses the significance of recognitions like B Corp certification, and his perspective in the PR and communication industry in promoting sustainability in the MENA region.

In this episode, you will gain insights on:

• Saad AlRubaian's journey, from his expertise in PR and corporate social responsibility to founding CYLKA, a boutique CSR agency committed to driving behavioral change.
• Evolution of CSR in the region, particularly the shift from voluntary initiatives to regulatory-driven action post-COVID, with a focus on the UAE’s leadership in sustainability.
• CYLKA’s collaboration with UNDP on the globally recognized ‘Weather Kids’ campaign, emphasizing the role of children as climate advocates and showcasing the power of skill-based volunteering.
• Insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in sustainability communication in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage and localized narratives.
• CYLKA’s milestones, including achieving B Corp certification and receiving the UAE Gold Impact Seal, reflecting their dedication to social impact and sustainability.
• Saad’s perspective and vision for the PR and communication industry promoting sustainability in the MENA region.

Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

About Our Guest:

Saad AlRubaian a chartered PR practitioner, advisor, and social entrepreneur with 17 years of experience across Kuwait, the UAE, and the UK. Since 2013, Saad has been leading CYLKA, a boutique CSR agency that has earned numerous industry recognitions, including becoming a certified B Corp and receiving the UAE Gold Impact Seal. Saad also serves on multiple advisory and executive boards, including the UNDP Climate Communications Task Force, and Young Arab Leaders (YAL).

Follow CYLKA:

• ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

Follow Nadine Zidani:

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠MENA Impact Website⁠⁠

Don't forget to follow Impact Talk on ⁠Instagram⁠, LinkedIn and subscribe on ⁠Youtube for the latest updates. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you’d leave a review and share it with your community.

Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this special conversation, we sat down with Najla Abdellatif, a Swedish-Palestinian environmental advocate and founder of Zero Waste Palestine. Najla shares her journey of cultural influences, the motivation behind her initiative, and the challenges she faces in promoting sustainability in Palestine.

Discover how Zero Waste Palestine has evolved from a blog to a thriving community-driven platform in MENA, and learn practical strategies for adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle. Explore the cultural influences and challenges Najla faced as she built her initiative, and gained valuable insights into how environmental issues intersect with social and political contexts in the MENA region, especially in Palestine.

In this episode, you will gain insights on:

• The motivation behind Zero Waste Palestine and Najla’s journey to environmental advocacy.
• How cultural influences and daily life challenges shaped her approach to sustainability in Palestine.
• The connection between waste, environmental impact, and political injustice, and how Najla addresses these intersections.
• Strategies for raising awareness and engaging communities in sustainability efforts.
• Najla’s vision for the future of Zero Waste Palestine .
• Advice for those who want to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle.

About our Guest:

Najla Abdellatif Vallander, is a Swedish-Palestinian environmental advocate dedicated to equipping others with the knowledge and drive to live consciously and sustainably. Through her initiative, Zero Waste Palestine, Najla raises awareness of environmental topics and inspires households to adopt waste-free and sustainable practices in the MENA region.

Najla has been featured in Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30, the 2024 edition, and received the prestigious Forbes Award for her incredible work in social impact.

Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Follow Zero Waste Palestine:

• Website
• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠
• Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

Follow Nadine Zidani:

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, TikTok⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠MENA Impact Website⁠⁠

Don't forget to follow Impact Talk on ⁠Instagram⁠, LinkedIn and subscribe on ⁠Youtube for the latest updates. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you’d leave a review and share it with your community.