The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: A Symbol of Ethiopia’s Potential Inaugurated
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a proud symbol of Ethiopia’s potential, alongside other distinguished leaders.
Leaders from across Africa and the Caribbean joined Ethiopia in celebrating this historic milestone.
The inauguration ceremony, highlighting the GERD as a symbol of African unity, was attended by Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Kenya’s President William Ruto, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Eswatini’s Prime Minister Mswati Dlamini, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Yusuf, and the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete.
“The Renaissance Dam is proof that Africa can harness its own resources to shape its future,” President William Ruto said.
Ethiopia’s largest hydroelectric project, constructed without foreign loans or aid, stands as a strong example of African self-reliance, President Ruto emphasized in a post on his social media page.
He added that with the completion of the Renaissance Dam, Kenya is ready to purchase more power from Ethiopia — a move that will boost Kenya’s manufacturing, agro-processing, and ICT sectors, helping create jobs and increase competitiveness.
“No country should be prevented from undertaking projects like the Renaissance Dam, which drive economic transformation and ensure mutual benefits. Such initiatives are not limited to one nation; they foster shared prosperity across the region,” he noted.
President Ruto also underlined Kenya’s support for the equitable use of Nile waters by all basin countries, including Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. In particular, he urged the three nations to resume the suspended tripartite negotiations in good faith.
He concluded by stressing that dialogue and consultation remain the best path to bridge differences, reach a fair agreement, and secure regional stability and shared prosperity.
The Seven at Guba Announcements (Launched projects)
Seven major projects are set to be implemented over the next five to six years:
✅ Nuclear enrichment
✅ Inauguration of a gas plant
✅ Establishment of an oil refinery
✅ Construction of the largest airport in Africa
✅ Launch of the second gas plant project
✅ Launch of a fertilizer plant project
✅ Development of 1.5 million housing units nationwide
The total investment required for these projects is estimated at over 30 billion USD.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is estimated to generate $1 billion in annual revenue, equivalent to 10% of Ethiopia’s current budget. It would be surprising if this figure did not grow over time. The economic benefits of the dam are already exceeding expectations.
Egypt is struggling because it understands the value of the Nile. It is remarkable to see a country in the Horn of Africa—one that, until recently, could not compromise its sovereignty due to poverty—now striving to assert its economic strength. They have no choice but to acknowledge the reality.
Ethiopia will recoup the investments made in harnessing the Nile through the revenue generated by the dam. Its capacity to undertake major projects like the Renaissance Dam will increase significantly. Plans are underway to complete a fertilizer factory within approximately three years. Additionally, the country is strengthening its security infrastructure, and its navy has been reorganized after 33 years.
What did former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn say about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam?
“I want to assure all the children of the Nile that our efforts to utilize our rivers and eradicate poverty are not intended to harm anyone, but rather to benefit both ourselves and our neighbors.
The vision since the inception of this dam has been to create a roadmap for our people and our nation to unite for a national renaissance — free from discrimination — and to overcome poverty once and for all.
We are witnessing the nations, nationalities, and peoples of Ethiopia contributing tirelessly, day and night, to the construction of the dam without hesitation.
This project represents an unparalleled achievement of national consensus. It demonstrates that, despite our differences on other national agendas, we can come together and work as one on matters that affect us all.”
Leaders Honored for Their Contribution to the Dam’s Construction
At the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, individuals who made outstanding contributions to the project were awarded the Order of Honor by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Recipients of the Order of Honor:
- Engineer Ephraim Woldekidan Amakalen – Deputy Project Manager (November 2004 – January 14, 2017)
- Engineer Kemal Ahmed Suleiman – Operation Manager of the project (May 2013 – present)
- Ato Beleh Kassa Wolde – Project Site Coordinator with the title of Deputy Manager
- Engineer Kifle Horo – Project Manager
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) Announces Ethiopia’s Nuclear Power Ambition
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has announced that Ethiopia will soon begin building a nuclear power plant for peaceful purposes, a project he compared in scale and importance to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
What did Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) say during his speech at the GERD inauguration?
Prime Minister Abiy declared:
“We have heard, seen, and learned history. Today, we have become the generation chosen by the Creator. We have made history and are ready to speak on history.”
He continued:
“The Renaissance is a great struggle that will remain not only in Ethiopia’s history but in the history of all black peoples until the end of time. The first great achievement in the history of the black race is the Renaissance.”
Highlighting the scale of the project, the Prime Minister noted that the GERD holds 74 trillion liters of water. He remarked that if the price of just one liter were increased by 25 cents, its value would surpass Ethiopia’s current GDP.
Addressing neighboring countries, Abiy emphasized Ethiopia’s peaceful intentions:
“For our brothers in Nubia and Egypt, Ethiopia built the Renaissance to bring prosperity, to fill the region with light, and to transform the history of the black people — not to harm its brothers. I assure you before the Ethiopian people that Ethiopia will never abandon its responsibility as a good neighbor to those who are genuinely concerned.”
He further stressed:
“The famine in Egypt, the famine in Sudan, and the famine of our other brothers are also our famine. We will never seek to exploit them or cause harm; instead, we will eat and share with them. The past is over. I call upon all of us to stand together in cooperation for the great works that lie ahead.”
Calling for a forward-looking approach, Abiy declared:
“We will not waste time talking about yesterday’s history, about Abay or Lake Ngat; that file is closed. Our focus must now be on the future.”
What did the Prime Minister say about upcoming projects?
Abiy outlined Ethiopia’s ambitious plans for the next five to six years:
- Construction of a nuclear plant for peaceful purposes, supporting Ethiopia’s renaissance.
- Building the largest airport in Africa.
- Inauguration of the first gas plant within days, followed by the launch of a second gas plant ten times larger on the same day.
- Commencement of gas extraction within a month.
- Construction of a fertilizer factory, recently signed into agreement.
- Development of 1.5 million housing units across the country.
These mega projects, he said, will require an estimated investment of more than 30 billion USD.
A Message of Resolve
Concluding his speech, Abiy proclaimed:
“The era of Ethiopia’s revival has been declared in every direction. To enemies near and far: we Ethiopians may not have immortal bodies, but we have an immortal name. We are a people determined to preserve that immortal name even after our bodies perish. Agreement with us is the only path forward. What others have attempted for thousands of years has never succeeded; what we ourselves failed to achieve for thousands of years, we have now begun to realize. From this moment on, Ethiopia will no longer expose itself to its adversaries. Let all black people work together.”
What Do the Leaders of Neighboring Countries Say?
🇰🇪 “The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam shows that Africa has the power to determine its own destiny.” — William Ruto
“Today is a historic day for the entire region.” — Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
“Today is a proud day for our region, not just Ethiopia.” — Salva Kiir
What did Kenyan President William Ruto say?
Kenyan President William Ruto reaffirmed his country’s interest in obtaining power from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam shows that Africa has the power to determine its own destiny. The dam is not only an Ethiopian national project but also a Pan-African one.”
Ruto highlighted that more than 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity, a challenge that has held back the continent’s development. With Africa expected to host one in five people worldwide by 2030, he stressed that expanding power access is essential.
He recalled that Kenya signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Ethiopia in 2022, under which it currently imports 200 megawatts of electricity. Ruto added that he had spoken with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) about securing additional power from the GERD, with further discussions planned.
“The fact that the Renaissance Dam is 100% Ethiopian-built shows other African countries that we can achieve great things independently. If we want to transform our region, we must work together instead of dividing ourselves.”
What did Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud say?
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the inauguration as a milestone for the entire Horn of Africa:
“Today is a historic day for all the people of the region. The water and resources in our region are not defined by borders; they shape our common future.”
He emphasized that Somalia views stability and prosperity as collective goals, stressing that development should be approached through cooperation, not competition.
The President also expressed Somalia’s readiness to engage with neighbors and partners in dialogue to bridge gaps and strengthen regional collaboration.
What did South Sudanese President Salva Kiir say?
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir expressed his country’s intention to secure electricity from the GERD.
Congratulating the Ethiopian people and government during the inauguration, Kiir remarked:
“The dam is not just a project, but a symbol of sacrifice, unity, and determination. It shows what a country can achieve when its people unite behind a vision.”
He added:
“Today is a proud day for Ethiopia and for our region. We look forward to signing an agreement to benefit from the energy generated by the dam.”
What did Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, say about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam?
*“Congratulations to all Ethiopians on the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam!
I am proud to be part of this historic event. We remember former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for his vision and courage in launching the project, and we thank Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for bringing it to completion.”*
“Ethiopians are not afraid of challenges. They are invincible!” — Pietro Salini
What did Pietro Salini, CEO of the Italian company Salini (WeBuild), say?
Pietro Salini remarked:
“After 15 years, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has become a reality. It has been a dream for me and for our country. How could we be prouder today?”
He described the GERD as “the safest project in the world” but acknowledged the human cost behind such a great achievement:
“Over the past 15 years, 33 workers have lost their lives in road accidents and other incidents. I pay my deepest respect to those who gave their lives for this achievement. Their families will always remember them.”
Salini highlighted the massive workforce and training involved in the project:
- “More than 10,000 workers have been rotated throughout the project.”
- “A total of 250,000 hours were dedicated to safety training.”
- “Around 25,000 young people received on-the-job capacity-building training, which will make a fundamental contribution to the future of Ethiopia.”
What did Salini say about former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi?
Salini recalled his close collaboration with the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who laid the foundation stone for the GERD, and shared a personal memory:
“Meles once told me: ‘I have a dream for this country — abundant energy and sovereignty. Can you design a project for me on the Nile? A big project; I want at least 6,000 megawatts.’ I immediately began working on it. Sadly, he passed away a year later.”
Salini emphasized the determination behind Ethiopia’s achievement:
“No one wanted this country to build the dam. No one wanted to provide financing. There were political challenges and many obstacles, with no easy solutions. But Ethiopians are not afraid of challenges. They are invincible. When faced with difficulties or opposition, they redouble their efforts — and they achieve what they deserve.”