Adel bin Mohammed Fakeih is a Saudi engineer and political figure who held multiple high-level positions in the Kingdom.
He served as the Mayor of Jeddah, and later as Minister of Economy and Planning from 2015 until 2017.
His career came to a halt when he was arrested in connection with corruption charges following the Jeddah floods and was also accused of involvement in establishing a separatist group named Hejaz Organization.
Early Life and Education
Adel Fakeih was born on July 1, 1958, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
His father was the late Mohammed bin Abdulqader Fakeih, a well-known businessman and poet.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.
Throughout his career, Fakeih was actively involved in various public and regional development councils:
- Member of the Jeddah Provincial Council
- Chairman of the Services and Development Committee of the Jeddah Council
- Head of the Services Development Unit in the Makkah Region Council
- Member of the Jeddah Municipal Council
- Member of the Higher Authority for the Development of Makkah
- Member of the Hajj Committee
He also held key leadership roles in the private sector, serving as:
- Chairman of Savola Group
- Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Chairman of Bank AlJazira
- Board member of the High Commission for the Development of Hail
- Board member of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities
Career and Controversies
Adel Fakeih built a strong presence in both public administration and private enterprise before being appointed as Minister of Economy and Planning in April 2015.
He was dismissed in November 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, amid a nationwide crackdown on corruption.
His arrest was linked to the catastrophic Jeddah floods, which resulted in over 100 fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and a large-scale power outage.
The tragedy required the intervention of national military and security forces in what became the largest rescue operation in the modern history of Saudi Arabia.
Following the event, Fakeih was detained along with several high-profile figures, including Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh.
He was later transferred to Al-Nasriyah Palace, and eventually placed under house arrest in one of his private villas, where he remains under electronic surveillance.
Key Achievements
Despite the controversy, Adel Fakeih made notable contributions, particularly during his tenure as:
- Minister of Economy and Planning (April 29, 2015 – November 4, 2017)
- Minister of Labor (August 18, 2010 – April 2015)
During his time as Minister of Labor, he spearheaded major reforms aimed at increasing Saudi employment rates through programs such as:
“Nitaqat” – a classification system to evaluate companies based on their Saudization efforts.
“Taqat” – a national labor market gateway aimed at connecting job seekers with employers.
These programs brought structural changes to the private sector, benefiting both employers and Saudi citizens.
He also briefly served as Acting Minister of Health from April 21 to December 8, 2014.
Prior to that, he held the position of Mayor of Jeddah from March 7, 2005, to August 18, 2010.
During his time as Mayor, numerous infrastructure projects were launched in Jeddah, particularly aimed at preventing flood disasters and protecting public property.
However, these efforts failed to prevent the 2011 flood disaster, considered one of the worst in the Kingdom’s modern history—ultimately leading to his detention for questioning.
Personal Life
Adel Fakeih is married to Maha Fattahi, and the couple has children.
Net Worth
Adel Fakeih’s fortune is estimated at approximately $470 million USD.
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