“The Line” Review

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has engaged external consulting funds to advise the Kingdom on whether a new project of theirs, called “The Line”, would be successful. The call for a review of Saudi Arabia’s key development project comes at a time when the Kingdom’s oil revenues have been decreasing due to falling oil prices. NEOM, the company responsible for the mega project, describes the review as “typical” for large-scale multi-year construction projects. 

Background of “The Line”

The Line, as described by NEOM, is a “revolution” in urban living, as the project will house 9 million people within an area of 34 square kilometres. Additionally, it is claimed that the city will be 100% renewable and that 95% of the land will be preserved for natural areas. They conclude their talk on “The Line” by stating that it will address the current challenges facing city life, such as environmental crises. Mohammed bin Salman, the current Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, is also listed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NEOM Company. 

Additionally, according to the Saudi government website, Vision 2030, “The Line” was established in 2021 by Mohammed bin Salman. It was designed as a “revolutionary concept” in urban life that is “prioritising people and nature” and would create a new model of urban sustainability. 

Criticism of “The Line”  

According to some, “The Line” will cost around $500 billion. This price tag results from the previously mentioned review by companies on the project’s feasibility, as the country worries about the cost of “The Line”. NEOM, as a whole, which has also been keen on producing other major mega projects as part of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision, has a cost of $1.5 trillion. The review of “The Line” is now considered essential, given Saudi Arabia’s growing budget deficit. 

Along with the cost of the project, there have also been criticisms of “The Line” in moral terms. On ethical grounds, there was the case of the Al-Huwaitat tribe communicating with the UN, requesting an investigation about forced displacements of the tribe on the land designated for “The Line”. Al-Jazeera in turn explains that up to 20,000 Huwaitat tribe members could be displaced due to the project as of 2020. 

The Kingdom, under the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, responded to these moral criticisms by claiming that some of the leading tribal voices against the displacement are related to terrorism. They also argue that the companies working with NEOM on “The Line,” as well as the country itself, uphold fair trials and human rights. Overall, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports the NEOM project, as it aligns with the 1986 UN Declaration on the Right to Development, aiming to socio-economically empower the population in the area of “The Line”. 

The Future of “The Line”

The review of the project coincides with Saudi Arabia cutting funding for the project as “The Line’s” expected population drops from 1.5 million residents to 300,000 by 2030. Currently, oil prices are around $70 per barrel for most of 2025, which revenues still account for 61% of the Kingdom’s budget in 2025. Other problems have arisen as NEOM’s head of construction, who held the position from 2018 to 2024, resigned from his post back in November. 

It will be interesting if the Kingdom will continue its project as part of its 2030 plan or if it will focus on other projects or on other sectors not dealing with NEOM’s mega projects.  This project and its continuation will affect the world and Africa as it is a large barometer test on the health of the Saudi economy and whether they can get through the storm of low oil prices.  Saudi Arabia is one of the largest economies in the world, and one of its largest energy providers, therefore the state of its economy and budget can effect other countries, including those in Africa with Saudi investments possibly reaching $41 billion over the next decade in the continent.

Christian Jimenez Arnaldo is a fellow of the 16th Council.