Six MENA Startups Tackling Water Scarcity Through Climate Tech

Water scarcity in the MENA region is not a distant concern. As it stands, it is a defining challenge of the region’s present and future. MENA is widely recognised as the most water-stressed region on Earth, with a vast majority of its population living in areas of high or extreme water scarcity, and 11 of the 17 most water-stressed countries globally located there.

Agriculture accounts for more than 80% of total water withdrawals in the region, far above the global average, while rapid urban and industrial growth compounds demand on limited freshwater resources. Climate change amplifies these pressures by intensifying droughts, increasing evaporation rates, and making rainfall patterns more unpredictable.

The consequences extend beyond parched landscapes: millions lack reliable access to clean water and basic sanitation, affecting health, livelihoods and economic productivity. Traditional solutions like large dams, expanded piped networks or energy-intensive desalination are costly, slow to scale, and often environmentally burdensome in a region already grappling with climate stresses.

This context has sparked a wave of entrepreneurial innovation aimed at reimagining water access, efficiency and sustainability. Startups across the MENA region are developing technologies that produce water from the atmosphere, optimise usage with real-time monitoring, and harness renewable energy to deliver and manage water more responsibly. These seven ventures are building the adaptive, technology-driven water systems that MENA’s communities, industries and ecosystems urgently need.

Kumulus Water — Tunisia

Founded in 2021 by Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid, Kumulus Water develops atmospheric water generators that produce drinking water directly from humidity in the air. The Tunisia-based startup designs decentralised units that condense, filter and mineralise water without relying on piped infrastructure, making them suited to off-grid or water-stressed environments. Its systems have been deployed in schools, businesses and public spaces, including installations at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport. Backed by a multimillion-euro seed round, the company is expanding into wider MENA markets, positioning atmospheric water generation as a scalable complement to strained municipal systems.

Manhat — United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi–based Manhat has developed a patented water distillation technology that captures evaporated moisture from open water surfaces and condenses it into usable freshwater. Founded by Dr. Saeed Alhassan Alkhazraji and Vishnu Vijayan Pillai in 2019, it was designed to operate without conventional desalination processes or brine discharge, the system mimics aspects of the natural water cycle. The approach is particularly relevant in Gulf countries that rely heavily on energy-intensive desalination. Manhat has participated in international climate and innovation forums, reflecting growing interest in alternative freshwater production methods tailored to arid coastal regions.

SmartWTI — Jordan

Founded by Heba Asa'd and Omar Asa'd in 2021, SmartWTI, headquartered in Amman, builds IoT and AI-powered water management systems that monitor flow, pressure and leakage in real time. By combining sensors with cloud-based analytics, the startup helps municipalities, farms and institutions identify inefficiencies and reduce water loss. In Jordan — one of the most water-scarce countries globally — reducing leakage and improving allocation is as critical as increasing supply. Through pilot projects and accelerator participation, SmartWTI is working to modernise how water infrastructure is monitored and managed across the region.

WaterSec — Tunisia

WaterSec is a Tunis-based startup focused on smart water monitoring for commercial and industrial users. The company was co-founded by Ahmed Slim Bouakez, Khoubeib Tlili, Mohamed Guenbri, Zoubeir Zarrouk, and Yasmine Ben Miloud in 2021. Its IoT-enabled platform provides real-time consumption data, leak detection and performance analytics, allowing organizations to track and reduce water use. The company works with sectors such as textiles, agri-food and hospitality — industries that face mounting regulatory and environmental pressure to improve efficiency. In a country grappling with prolonged droughts, digital oversight tools like these are becoming increasingly relevant to sustainable resource management.

YY ReGen — Lebanon

Beirut-based YY ReGen integrates solar energy systems with water-efficient irrigation technologies for agricultural communities. Co-founded by Hasan Jaafar, Amer Khayyat, and Dr. Munira Khayyat in 2021, the company develops renewable-powered pumping and drip irrigation solutions aimed at reducing both diesel dependency and excessive water use. In Lebanon and across MENA, agriculture consumes the majority of freshwater resources, often through inefficient systems. By pairing energy transition with smarter irrigation, YY ReGen addresses two intersecting vulnerabilities: water scarcity and rising fuel costs.

SolarisKit — United Arab Emirates

SolarisKit, founded in 2019 by Dr. Faisal Ghani, develops solar thermal collectors engineered for high-temperature Gulf climates, enabling buildings to heat water using renewable energy instead of grid electricity or fossil fuels. While primarily an energy solution, water heating represents a significant share of household and commercial energy demand. By reducing the carbon intensity and cost of heating water, SolarisKit contributes to lowering the broader environmental footprint tied to water use in the region. The startup has received recognition in UAE innovation competitions for its decentralised clean-energy design.