As climate change, water scarcity, and rising agricultural costs continue to challenge food production across the world, technology is increasingly becoming a critical tool for farmers seeking to improve productivity while preserving natural resources. In North Africa and the Middle East, where water availability and agricultural efficiency are major concerns, startups are beginning to play a vital role in transforming how farms operate.
One such company is RoboCare, a Tunisian agritech startup that has developed an artificial intelligence-powered precision agriculture platform designed to help farmers make smarter decisions. The company has now secured a six-figure investment from venture capital firm 216 Capital to support its next phase of growth and accelerate expansion into markets across Africa and the Middle East.
The funding marks an important milestone for the startup as it seeks to scale its technology and strengthen its position as a regional leader in agricultural digital transformation.
Using AI to Improve Farm Performance
Founded in 2020 by Tunisian entrepreneur Imen Hbiri, RoboCare was created to address some of the most pressing challenges facing modern agriculture. The company combines artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, drone data, IoT sensors, weather information, and agronomic expertise to provide farmers with real-time insights into crop health and farm performance.
Its platform enables farmers to detect diseases, crop stress, and productivity issues at an early stage, allowing them to take corrective action before significant damage occurs. By transforming large volumes of agricultural data into practical recommendations, RoboCare helps farms improve operational efficiency while reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
The startup’s technology has already demonstrated measurable results in the field. According to the company, farms using the platform have achieved up to 35% water savings, reduced agricultural inputs by as much as 25%, and increased crop yields by up to 20%.
These outcomes are particularly significant in regions where water scarcity and rising input costs continue to place pressure on agricultural producers.
Built for the Realities of Agriculture in the MENA Region
While many agricultural technology platforms are designed for global markets, RoboCare has taken a more specialized approach by focusing on crops that are strategically important to North Africa and the Middle East.
The company has developed expertise around olive trees, cereals, and processing tomatoes, crops that play a major role in regional food production and agricultural exports. Rather than relying solely on generic global datasets, RoboCare trains its models using local agricultural data, allowing its recommendations to reflect the unique soil, climate, and farming conditions found across the region.
This localized approach has become one of the startup’s key competitive advantages. By understanding the specific challenges faced by farmers in MENA markets, RoboCare is able to deliver more relevant insights and actionable recommendations.
Today, the platform monitors several thousand hectares of farmland and has generated thousands of agronomic alerts, helping farmers identify issues early and respond more effectively.
Growing Recognition Within the Agritech Ecosystem
Beyond its technological capabilities, RoboCare has steadily gained recognition within the broader agritech ecosystem. The startup has established partnerships with institutional stakeholders and continues to build visibility among agricultural organizations, investors, and innovation networks.
As governments across the region prioritize food security and sustainable agriculture, solutions that improve productivity while reducing environmental impact are attracting growing interest from both public and private sector stakeholders.
For venture capital firm 216 Capital, RoboCare represents exactly the type of innovation capable of addressing large-scale regional challenges.
According to Hassen Arfaoui, Principal at 216 Capital, the investment aligns closely with the firm’s strategy of supporting high-potential technology companies that generate meaningful economic, environmental, and social impact.
Funding to Accelerate Regional Expansion
The newly secured investment will be used to support three major growth initiatives.
First, RoboCare plans to expand commercially into additional markets across Africa and the Middle East. Agriculture remains one of the largest industries across many of these countries, creating substantial opportunities for technology-driven solutions that improve farm productivity and resource management.
Second, the company intends to strengthen its commercial teams to accelerate adoption among large agribusinesses, agricultural cooperatives, and institutional farming operations.
Finally, RoboCare will continue investing in the development of its artificial intelligence models, enabling the platform to adapt to new crops, environments, and agricultural conditions as it enters new markets.
These investments are expected to help the company scale its impact while strengthening its competitive position within the rapidly growing agritech sector.
Building the Future of Smart Agriculture
Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors across Africa and the Middle East, supporting millions of livelihoods and playing a critical role in food security. However, the industry faces increasing pressure from climate change, resource constraints, and population growth.
Startups like RoboCare are demonstrating how technology can help address these challenges by providing farmers with better data, earlier insights, and smarter decision-making tools.
By combining artificial intelligence with agronomic expertise and local agricultural knowledge, RoboCare is building solutions tailored specifically for the realities of farming in emerging markets.
With fresh capital, growing market adoption, and a clear regional expansion strategy, the Tunisian startup is positioning itself to become a leading force in the digital transformation of agriculture across Africa and the Middle East.
As the demand for sustainable and data-driven farming continues to grow, RoboCare’s journey highlights the increasing role that homegrown innovation will play in shaping the future of food production in the region.
