Montaser AlTawil

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the U.S., championed by Elon Musk and Donald Trump, has captured global attention. The idea is simple: cut waste, eliminate inefficiency, and run government operations with the discipline of a well-managed corporation. In theory, it makes perfect sense. But in practice, its radical approach is uniquely American- built for a system where political disruption is often celebrated.

For Jordan, the same concept must be more calculated, pragmatic, and deliberate. The Kingdom faces a complex economic reality that cannot afford reckless experimentation, but it also cannot afford to continue with business as usual. That is why Jordan needs its own version of DOGE, adapted to its specific challenges. A Ministry of Government Efficiency (MOGE) led by young professionals with corporate, entrepreneurial and modern governance expertisewould serve as an entity tasked with maximizing efficiency, cutting waste, and ensuring every dinar is spent with purpose.

Parliament, in theory, should already be providing this oversight. It should be questioning government expenditures, cross-examining ministers, and exposing inefficiencies. But for years, it has failed to do so. Whether this failure is due to conflicts of interest, political stagnation, or simply misplaced priorities is beside the point. What matters is that the job isn’t getting done, and a powerful force like MOGE is necessary to step in and enforce accountability where others have fallen short.

The Cost of Inefficiency
Jordan’s economic problems are deeply interconnected. The government continues to extract revenue through taxes, customs, and fees, yet it struggles with inefficiency and mismanagement. The reality is simple: extracting revenue is easy, but generating wealth is difficult and so if Jordan continues down this path, there will eventually be nothing left to extract.

The solution is not to impose more taxes, increase customs duties, or tweak regulations on specific industries like tobacco or vapes. These short-term fixes do little to address the root causes of Jordan’s economic stagnation. Instead, Jordan needs a long-term, strategic vision that closes the gap between national debt and GDP, lowers unemployment, and solves at least one of the country’s critical resource challenges- whether in water or energy.

MOGE would ensure that government institutions and agencies operate with efficiency, forcing them to justify budgets, eliminate unnecessary spending, and redirect resources toward long-term solutions rather than reactionary policies. Every dinar recovered from corruption, mismanagement, or excessive bureaucracy should be treated as a reinvestment opportunity for the country.

An Economic Model for Rebuilding the Private Sector

Jordan’s private sector is oftentimes remembered when referencing difficult work or entrepreneurial landscapes that are shackled by excessive government bureaucracy. The solution is not to simply abandon regulation, but work on removing unnecessary barriers to investment and industrial growth. Jordan must focus on import substitution: reducing reliance on foreign goods by fostering domestic production. The government must actively incentivize local industry by raising tariffs on select imports while simultaneously investing in national production.

This does not mean reverting to protectionism, but rather adopting a tailored economic strategy that aligns with Jordan’s specific needs.

Take a simple example: Jordan imports over 12 million JOD worth of jameed annually from Syria, Egypt, and Turkey. With the right economic policies, those millions should be invested in local dairy farms, domestic jameed factories, and new jobs for Jordanians. A small shift in policy can revitalize an industry while simultaneously reducing reliance on imports.

MOGE would play a pivotal role in identifying these inefficiencies and advising the Prime Ministry or Royal Court on how to redirect recovered funds toward projects that create sustainable economic impact. Some projects may be ambitious such as partnering with BYD to build energy storage solutions in southern Jordan, while others could be smaller but equally strategic, like funding a jameed production facility to replace imports.

A Government Built for the Future
Jordan must adapt to a rapidly changing world. AI, automation, and technological advancements are reshaping economies globally, and Jordan cannot afford to fall behind. But modernizing the economy doesn’t mean blindly chasing tech trends; it means integrating technology strategically across industries, from agriculture and water management to manufacturing and logistics.

MOGE’s role would not be to create factories or industries, but to ensure that existing ministries and agencies are operating efficiently, embracing modern solutions, and aligning with Jordan’s broader economic interests. For example, instead of maintaining bloated government payrolls, the government could transition thousands of employees into new private-sector jobs, backed by foreign investment in high-value industries. The goal is simple: Jordanians should have the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, competitive private sector rather than stagnate in unproductive government jobs.

A Defining Choice

Jordan’s current economic model is fueled by excessive taxation, foreign aid dependency, and government inefficiency, which is no longer sustainable. A Ministry of Government Efficiency would provide the oversight, accountability, and bold decision-making necessary to break this cycle.

The choices made today will shape Jordan’s economic trajectory for decades to come. Will the government continue its short-term, reactionary policies, or will it embrace a long-term vision that prioritizes efficiency, private-sector growth, and national self-sufficiency?