With recruitment activity rebounding in 2025 and AI adoption accelerating, Gentis strengthens its Middle East presence under new Executive Director, Fayçal Lahlou Nabil
Dubai, 9 October, 2025 – Gentis, the international recruitment and talent advisory firm, is highlighting the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hiring process as Middle East organizations look to secure the next wave of digital talent.
According to LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting 2025 – MENA report, 37% of organizations are already experimenting with or integrating generative AI into recruitment processes. In parallel, demand for AI talent is accelerating. In the UAE alone, job postings requiring AI skills have doubled in just three years, rising from around 5,000 in 2021 to nearly 10,000 in 2024, according to PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer.
The region’s hiring momentum is also improving overall. Recruitment activity across the Middle East increased in Q1 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
While technology and digital roles are at the forefront of this shift, other industries central to the MENA economy are also experiencing dynamic change. Engineering and construction projects across the region continue to drive demand for highly specialized talent, and financial services are evolving to meet digital and regulatory change.
Gentis’ expertise across these critical sectors ensures that clients are supported in building resilient teams wherever skills gaps are most pressing.
“Recruitment in the Middle East is entering a new phase, powered by technology and defined by skills,” said Stéphanie Reniers, Co-Founder & CEO of Gentis. “We are seeing record growth across a variety of industries serviced by Gentis, from finance to construction, engineering and IT. Organizations across the region are increasingly making AI integral to their operations, with recruitment across these sectors also adopting AI to create more strategic, human-centered hiring. This shift is opening new opportunities for both employers and professionals.”
Across the GCC, AI is transforming not only how companies operate but also how they build their workforces. Recruiters are increasingly turning to AI-driven tools for sourcing, screening and matching candidates, freeing up time to focus on human-centered activities such as interviewing and engagement. Companies are also shifting from credential-based hiring to skills-based approaches, with digital and data capabilities topping the list of in-demand competencies. This transition underscores the urgency for businesses to adapt quickly and highlights the need for partners who understand both the technology and the local talent landscape.
To strengthen its regional leadership during this transformation, Gentis has appointed Fayçal Lahlou Nabil as Executive Director for the Middle East & Africa (MEA). With over 15 years of recruitment and business growth experience across Europe and North Africa, Fayçal will lead Gentis’ expansion in the region, managing operations, driving growth, and overseeing executive and strategic placements.
“The UAE labour market continues to lead the GCC with a solid 4% rise in hiring during Q2 2025,” Fayçal commented. “This performance is driven by active recruitment across finance, technology and sales, where demand for CFOs, digital transformation leaders and data-driven professionals remains strong. What we see today is a market that has moved from ambition to execution: companies are focusing on value creation, operational excellence and leadership that delivers measurable impact. The Emirates remain a benchmark for results-oriented growth in the region.”
Gentis’ momentum in the Middle East reflects these broader market dynamics. Recent milestones in the Middle East underline the pace of Gentis’ expansion and the increasing appetite from organizations for strategic recruitment support.
Founded in 2011, Gentis has grown into a recruitment powerhouse with 500 employees across 8 international offices. The company specializes in STEM and strategic sectors including technology, engineering, life sciences, finance, and energy. With its regional HQ in Dubai and plans to open a Riyadh office, Gentis is committed to supporting GCC clients in securing the talent needed for the future of work.
About Gentis
Gentis is an international recruitment and talent management firm helping organizations attract, retain, and grow top-tier talent. With expertise across STEM and strategic sectors, Gentis combines AI-powered tools with human insight to deliver faster, smarter, and more personal hiring. Founded in 2011 in Brussels, the company now operates from 8 global offices, placing over 1,500 professionals each year.
