Ethiopia has officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydroelectric project in Africa, marking a historic moment for the country and the continent. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the achievement as a milestone for all Black people, even as tensions with Egypt over water security continue to simmer.
GERD: A Symbol of Progress
The $4 billion dam, built by Italian construction firm Webuild, stands 170 meters high and stretches nearly two kilometers across the Blue Nile near the Sudanese border. With a capacity to hold 74 billion cubic meters of water and generate 5,150 megawatts of electricity, GERD more than doubles Ethiopia’s existing energy production, securing its place as the most powerful dam in Africa.
For Ethiopia, the project represents not only a technological triumph but also a unifying national symbol amid ongoing political and social challenges.
Prime Minister’s Vision
At the inauguration ceremony, attended by regional leaders including Kenya’s President William Ruto and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Abiy Ahmed described GERD as a legacy for generations.
“GERD will be remembered as a great achievement not only for Ethiopia, but for all Black people,” Abiy said. He invited people from across Africa and beyond to visit the dam as proof that ambitious visions can be realized.
Egypt’s Concerns
While Ethiopia celebrates, Egypt remains wary. Dependent on the Nile for 97 percent of its water, Cairo has long described the dam as an “existential threat.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has warned of consequences under international law should water security be compromised.
Ethiopian officials, however, insist the project is strictly hydroelectric and will not reduce downstream water availability.
Economic Transformation
Analysts suggest GERD could revolutionize Ethiopia’s economy by powering industries, reducing blackouts, and enabling exports to energy-hungry neighbors like Sudan and Tanzania. Currently, nearly 45 percent of Ethiopia’s 130 million citizens live without reliable electricity, according to World Bank data.
Webuild CEO Pietro Salini emphasized the dam’s transformative role, stating: “This country that was once dark at night is now selling energy to neighbors.”
A Geopolitical Flashpoint
Despite years of mediation attempts by the United States, African Union, and other global players, Ethiopia and Egypt remain at odds. For Addis Ababa, GERD is not only an infrastructure project but also a political tool to foster unity in a region marked by conflict. For Cairo, it symbolizes a threat to national security.
As celebrations continue, GERD highlights both Africa’s potential for innovation and the geopolitical challenges tied to shared natural resources.
Topics #Africa’s largest hydroelectric project #city magazine #Ethiopia dam inauguration #Ethiopia Egypt Nile dispute #featured #GERD electricity capacity #Grand Renaissance Dam GERD #News
