Today, Ethiopia launched the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydroelectric facility in Africa.
The GERD, which has cost approximately $5bn, is situated on a tributary of the Nile and is viewed by Ethiopia as a vital element of its economic growth strategy. With a total capacity of 5,150MW, the dam has now reached its full operational output, placing it among the largest hydroelectric projects worldwide.
At the inauguration event held in Guba, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed an audience that included leaders from Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya.
Since the start of construction in 2011, the dam has been a contentious issue for Ethiopia's neighbouring countries. Egypt, which depends significantly on the Nile for its water supply, has said that the GERD could restrict its access to water during drought conditions.
Ethiopia contends that the reservoir created by the dam, which covers an area larger than Greater London, will ensure a consistent water supply for irrigation downstream, as well as reduce the risks of flooding and drought.
Ahmed highlighted that the dam will improve electricity access for nearly half of the country’s population, who lacked power as recently as 2022, while exporting the excess to the region.