Amidst mounting economic and social crises in Saudi Arabia, the NEOM project stands as a glaring symbol of financial waste and administrative corruption. Initially marketed as a futuristic utopia, NEOM has devolved into a swamp of financial manipulation, human rights violations, and the forced displacement of indigenous populations. Recent reports show how billions have been squandered on a project that increasingly appears dead on arrival—at a time when the country urgently needs real investment to improve the lives of its citizens.
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Costs Beyond Reason: From $500 Billion to $8.8 Trillion
When NEOM was first announced in 2017, its projected cost was $500 billion. According to several sources and internal testimonies obtained by the Spanish newspaper El País, current estimates suggest the project may cost up to $8.8 trillion by 2080—more than 25 times the kingdom’s annual budget. The project, which was meant to symbolize Saudi Arabia’s leap into the future, is now devouring state resources, while public services like housing, healthcare, and education continue to deteriorate.
Antoni Vives: The Shadow Man Behind the Numbers
One of the most damning revelations from El País involves Spanish consultant Antoni Vives, appointed to oversee the “Sindalah” subproject within NEOM. In an internal email, Vives explicitly advised against disclosing the actual costs of the project, stating: “We should not reveal the costs proactively.” Vives is no stranger to controversy—he’s been implicated in a corruption scandal in Spain, where prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence for his involvement in the infamous “3% case.” Why would such a figure be entrusted with leading one of Saudi Arabia’s most high-profile projects?
Forced Displacement and Bloodshed: The Case of the Huwaitat Tribe
To build NEOM, the land first had to be emptied—and the indigenous Huwaitat tribe paid the price. In 2020, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, a member of the tribe, was shot dead by security forces after refusing to vacate his home. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and ALQST, have since documented additional executions and heavy-handed sentences against tribe members labeled as “terrorists” simply for resisting displacement. In NEOM, the dream is being built with steel, concrete, and blood.
A Toxic and Racist Work Culture
The issues don’t stop at financial mismanagement or human rights abuses. Reports from former employees—published by outlets like Middle East Eye—paint a picture of a toxic work environment dominated by bullying and racism. Foreign managers enjoy unchecked authority, while Saudi nationals are reportedly treated as second-class employees. In a nation supposedly leading a “national vision,” NEOM seems to be run by imported elites more loyal to foreign interests than to Saudi citizens.
Where Are the Foreign Investors?
While the government continues to trumpet NEOM as a magnet for global investment, reality tells another story. Investors remain wary due to a lack of transparency and the project’s association with human rights abuses. According to The Wall Street Journal, the government is struggling to attract serious financial backers. NEOM’s failure to inspire investor confidence stems not only from its dubious economic feasibility, but also from Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a country that disregards rights and legal stability.
Authorities argue that the project will eventually generate massive returns. But so far, there is no evidence of real profits or job creation. NEOM is inflating megaprojects that serve political vanity more than national development. As billions from the Public Investment Fund are poured into NEOM, golf ventures, and wrestling events, the kingdom’s economy reels under growing debt, and the Saudi stock market index (TASI) continues to decline week after week.
NEOM: When the Nation Becomes a Playground for Exploitation
NEOM is not just a city—it’s a reflection of the broader policies under Mohammed bin Salman: wrapping failure in luxury, and replacing real development with hollow spectacles. When entire tribes are erased, trillions are wasted, and corruption-tainted foreign advisors are handed the reins, we’re not witnessing a vision—we’re witnessing an abuse of power and resources.
The future of Saudi Arabia will not be built with glass skyscrapers or drone taxis. It must be built on justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity. NEOM, despite all its glossy PR, is looking more like a nightmare than a dream.
