Celebrating Mangrove Week: Nabat’s Team is Passionate About Restoring Ecosystems

As the UAE celebrated Mangrove Week, Nabat, an Abu Dhabi-based climate tech company, spotlighted the people and technologies transforming ecosystem restoration. At the heart of their mission is a shared vision to deploy technologies that are nature−centric and put the planet first.

The UAE is home to nearly 60 square kilometers of natural mangroves. These ecosystems are vital carbon sinks, absorbing up to five times more CO₂ than terrestrial forests—but they’re at risk.

As part of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s initiative to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, Nabat is supporting large-scale restoration powered by AI and autonomous robotics.

What sets Nabat apart is the passion of the people behind the technology. In honor of Mangrove Week, we asked the team at Nabat what they love about working in ecosystem restoration:

“Technology empowers us to transform the future of our planet. This work is a fusion of innovation and nature’s resilience. With every drone flight, we’re rewriting the story of environmental restoration. It’s not just about recovery, it’s about harnessing tech to heal the Earth,” says Asgar Ammanullah, a UAV Engineer.

For Lorenzo, Bellone, a Senior Researcher, progress only matters if it is guided by purpose:

“Progress is pointless if we don't use it wisely. With our contribution, we harness it to serve the future of our home, the Earth,” he says.

This philosophy of responsible innovation is echoed across the team.

“We can choose to use technology, or be used by it,” says Mehdi Ajana, Nabat’s Head of Strategy. “When we are nature-centric, technology becomes an attentive companion, sensing the land’s signals and guiding us in its recovery.”

Around the world, mangrove ecosystems are disappearing due to urban development, pollution, and rising sea levels. But with the help of their technology, Nabat is restoring these coastal environments faster, smarter, and more accurately.

“Homo sapiens have long overexploited natural resources, disrupting the intricate life cycles,” says Nada Elshanawany, Nabat’s Operations Manager. “Technology-driven restoration can accelerate the repair process for future generations.”

“Humans are very effective in exploiting nature and destroying ecosystems. Let's learn how to use technology to reconstruct it,” says Enrico Natalizio, Nabat’s Chief Researcher.

“Combining science and nature in a way that helps restore life, that’s the kind of work that makes me feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” says Jennifer Simonjan, Nabat’s Research Director.

“My passion for drones and tech finds real purpose through Nabat, where we work to restore vital ecosystems that sustain our planet,” says Michal Barcis, a Lead Researcher.

“Restoring life is a responsibility we can no longer postpone. By taking action today, we’re giving back to the planet, so it can keep thriving for future generations,” says Amine Benjaafar, a Strategy Project Specialist supporting Nabat.

For Reda, the Acting CEO of VentureOne, Nabat’s parent company, success is measured in change:

“Leading a business that contributes to restoring the planet is an honor. The key success metric for any tech startup is ‘Does it have a real, tangible impact?’ The mangrove trees from our first project are growing as we speak. That is our answer.”

As the world searches for large-scale environmental solutions, Nabat continues to show that nature and technology are not in conflict. They can be allies, working together to build resilience.