Ethiopia‘s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile River. The dam, launched in 2011 with a $4 billion budget, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and a significant source of pride for Ethiopians. According to Abiy, the dam is now complete, and preparations are underway for its official inauguration in September.
Abiy emphasized the dam’s potential to benefit not only Ethiopia but also its neighbors, saying, “To our neighbors downstream – Egypt and Sudan – our message is clear: the Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity.” He added, “We believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water.” Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns about the dam’s impact on their water supply, with Egypt relying on the Nile for nearly all its freshwater. A 2% reduction in water supply could result in the loss of 200,000 acres of irrigated land in Egypt.
Despite these concerns, Abiy extended an invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the dam’s official inauguration, signaling Ethiopia’s willingness to engage constructively with its neighbors. “The energy and development it will generate stand to uplift not just Ethiopia,” Abiy said. The dam can hold up to 74 billion cubic meters of water and generate over 5,000 megawatts of power, more than doubling Ethiopia’s current output.
The GERD has been a source of tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, with previous talks failing to resolve differences. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan recently met, stressing their rejection of any unilateral measures in the Blue Nile Basin. Abiy, however, remains optimistic about cooperation, stating that the project will not come at the expense of either Egypt or Sudan.
The dam’s completion marks a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s electrification program, aiming to meet the energy needs of its rapidly growing population. Around half of Ethiopia’s 130 million people live without electricity, according to World Bank estimates. The GERD is expected to play a crucial role in addressing this challenge and promoting economic development in the region.