Nadine Zidani

Voices of Change: Nadine Zidani | Impact Entrepreneur & Founder of MENA Impact

Nadine Zidani is an impact entrepreneur and strategic advisor working at the intersection of sustainability, strategy, and ecosystem development across the MENA region. With over 15 years of experience at global organisations including EY and Emirates Group, she designs and leads high-impact initiatives that bridge innovation with real-world outcomes. She is also a Venture Partner at Korra Ventures, supporting the growth of impact-driven startups across the region. Recognised as a Woman of Influence 2025 by Inc. Arabia and a recipient of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award, Nadine is a frequent keynote speaker at leading platforms, including COP28, and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival.

SAWA spoke with Nadine about impact entrepreneurship, building a new career path, and how ecosystem building and regional identity shape her approach to creating change in the region.

SAWA: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Nadine: My name is Nadine Zidani. I’m French-Moroccan, with a background in computer science and engineering. I started my career in the corporate world, working in audit and risk management across different regions, including roles at EY and Emirates Group.

Today, I’m an impact entrepreneur based in Dubai, where I lead MENA Impact, an impact studio working across the Arab world. We partner with entrepreneurs, organisations, and institutions to design and deliver initiatives that create meaningful social, environmental, and economic impact. 

Our work sits at the intersection of research, advisory, programs, and media, with a strong focus on building and strengthening the regional impact ecosystem. We also bring together a curated community of over 100 impact entrepreneurs working on areas such as water, agriculture, food systems, and inclusion.

SAWA: You started your career in corporate risk and transformation. What led you to pivot into impact and sustainability?

Nadine: I spent over a decade in the corporate world, and from the outside, everything looked exactly as it should. I’m the daughter of Moroccan immigrants and grew up in France, where success was very clearly defined: a strong degree, a stable corporate career, and financial security. I followed that path and had the opportunity to work with incredible people across different markets. 

But over time, I felt a growing disconnect. I was learning and progressing, but I was missing a sense of purpose in what I was building.

In 2020, I made the decision to step back and take a sabbatical. That space allowed me to reflect and explore new directions. It was during that time that I discovered impact entrepreneurship, and the idea that businesses can be both profitable and a force for good. That was a turning point for me. It shifted how I think about value, success, and the role businesses can play in society, and ultimately led me to build MENA Impact.

SAWA: How has your connection to the MENA region shaped your approach to impact work?

Nadine: I’m North African, and growing up, I spent every summer in Morocco. I was moving between a Western urban life and a very different reality, often in rural areas in the south of the country. That exposure had a strong impact on me from a young age. I remember hearing conversations about the lack of rain, and understanding how directly that affected crops, livelihoods, and entire communities. It made sustainability very real to me, very early on. 

It also shaped how I see the world today. In many places, sustainability is still discussed in abstract or corporate terms. In our region, it’s a lived reality. It’s about how communities sustain themselves in the face of very tangible environmental challenges. 

That’s why I strongly believe that solutions need to be rooted in local contexts. The people closest to the challenges are often the ones best positioned to solve them, and our role is to support and scale those solutions, rather than import models that may not fit.

SAWA: What sustainability challenge are you most focused on solving right now, and where do you see the biggest gaps? 

Nadine: The main challenge I’m focused on today is climate change, particularly in the

context of the MENA region. We’re already seeing its impact through changing weather patterns, increasing pressure on water resources, and broader implications for food systems and economic resilience.

At the same time, I see this as one of the biggest opportunities for the region. These

challenges are driving the need for innovation in areas such as water, food security, and

decarbonisation.

At MENA Impact, we recently published a white paper on climate tech in the GCC, where we

highlight that the region is not only facing these challenges, but is also uniquely positioned to

build and scale solutions that can have both regional and global relevance.

The gap today is not a lack of ambition or capital, but the need to translate this into scalable

ventures and real innovation on the ground.

SAWA: Ecosystem building is a big part of your work. What does a strong impact ecosystem in the MENA region need today?

Nadine: Ecosystem building is a core part of our work.

When I started this journey a few years ago, I struggled to find the right community and

peers in this space. The ecosystem felt fragmented, and it took time to navigate and

understand where to connect. Today, I see that as one of the key challenges. The region needs stronger, more connected ecosystems, with active collaboration between entrepreneurs, corporates, non-profits, and the public sector.

At the same time, we need to recognise that MENA is not one market. What works in one

country will not necessarily work in another. So while collaboration is critical, our approaches

also need to be locally grounded and adapted. Ultimately, it’s about building stronger bridges across the region, learning from each other, and creating the conditions for impact-driven ventures to scale more effectively.

SAWA: Through your community with MENA Impact, you work closely with impact entrepreneurs. What patterns do you see among the most successful ones in the region?

Nadine: Through our community, I consistently see a few common patterns among the most

successful impact entrepreneurs in the region.

First, they move away from the “save the planet” narrative and focus on solving real, tangible

problems. They are deeply grounded in the realities of the markets they operate in.

Second, they have a very clear understanding that they are building a business. They are

driven by purpose, but they also prioritise strong, viable business models.

And most importantly, they design their models in a way where generating revenue directly

drives impact. That alignment between profit and purpose is what makes their ventures

scalable and sustainable over time.

SAWA: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for impact-driven ventures in MENA over the next 5-10 years?

Nadine: One of the biggest areas of opportunity is water. The MENA region is home to 12 of

the 17 most water-scarce countries in the world, and pressure on water resources is only increasing. We are already seeing a growing reliance on desalination to meet demand, but this also highlights the need for more efficient, sustainable, and innovative solutions in the sector.

Closely linked to this is food security. As climate conditions become more extreme, the question of how we produce and secure food locally becomes increasingly critical.

These challenges create a strong opportunity for the region to develop and scale solutions

that are not only relevant locally, but can also be exported to other parts of the world facing

similar constraints.

SAWA: What do you wish someone had told you earlier in your journey?

That a career is not a straight line. You don’t have to stay on the same path for 20 or 30 years. You’re allowed to pause, take detours, and change direction when something no longer fits. For me, that took time to accept. A few years ago, making those decisions came with a lot of doubt and even guilt.

The other important lesson is around failure. We don’t talk about it enough, especially in our

region. But if you want to learn and grow, you have to be willing to fail. Staying in your comfort zone might feel safe, but it limits your growth.

SAWA: Is there a regional leader or organisation that more people should know about? 

HH Princess Mashael Alshalan is someone I deeply admire. She is a leading Saudi voice on sustainability and climate, both in the Kingdom and internationally. She is the founder of AEON Collective, a cross-disciplinary waqf, or non-profit endowment, dedicated to advancing sustainable practices for inclusive, equitable, and resilient development.

I recently had a conversation with her on Let’s Turn the Tide podcast, where we explored the importance of linking sustainability to local heritage, culture, and the social fabric of Saudi Arabia. It’s a perspective that I believe is essential for driving meaningful and lasting impact in the region.

SAWA: How can people follow or support your work?

People can follow our work through our podcast,Impact Talk with Nadine Zidani,

available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, where we share conversations with

impact-driven founders and ecosystem leaders across the region.

MENA Impact is also active on LinkedIn and Instagram, where we regularly share insights,

initiatives, and opportunities within the ecosystem.

For impact entrepreneurs in the region, I would strongly encourage them to join our MENA

Impact community. It’s a space designed to connect, support, and amplify founders building

impactful ventures.

And of course, I’m always happy to connect directly on LinkedIn or Instagram with people

who are building or interested in impact in the region.