Ethiopia has officially completed construction of the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure and energy ambitions. The dam, situated along the Blue Nile near the Sudanese border, is now set to be inaugurated in September 2025. Construction began in 2011 and has been a point of national pride for Ethiopians, aimed at transforming the country into a regional energy hub. At 1,800 metres long and 175 metres high, GERD is now the largest dam in Africa, with a reservoir capacity of 74 billion cubic metres and a projected electricity output of over 6,000 megawatts—enough to double Ethiopia’s current power generation.
While the dam promises to provide electricity to millions and boost Ethiopia’s export potential, it has sparked a decade-long dispute with downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan, over water rights. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 97% of its freshwater, has repeatedly called the dam an existential threat. Sudan has also raised concerns about the impact on its own dams and water systems. Efforts to reach a binding agreement on the dam’s operation and water release mechanisms, particularly during droughts, have stalled despite African Union and U.S.-led negotiations.
In remarks to parliament, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to regional cooperation saying “we believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water. Prosperity for one should mean prosperity for all.” The GERD began partial power generation in 2022, and its full capacity is expected to boost electrification across Ethiopia and enable power exports to neighboring countries, including Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti. Ethiopia maintains that the dam is vital for lifting millions out of poverty, achieving energy self-sufficiency, and driving industrial growth.
