Ethiopia Celebrates GERD as a Symbol of African Sovereignty
Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia — September 9, 2025. Ethiopia today celebrated the official inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric power project and a symbol of sovereignty and resilience. The ceremony, held in the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State along the Abay River, marks the culmination of a 14-year national effort financed through domestic resources and citizen contributions.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, senior government officials, and African leaders including President William Ruto (Kenya), President Salva Kiir (South Sudan), President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados), along side AU and UNECA representatives.
GERD: A Pan-African Victory and Energy Milestone
Prime Minister Abiy declared that the dam ushers in a new era of prosperity:
“The era of dependence will soon be over. Ethiopia’s prosperity is unstoppable. We do not seek harm; we seek shared prosperity.”
With an installed capacity of 6,450 MW, the GERD is set to transform Ethiopia into a major electricity exporter in Africa, fueling industrialization and regional integration. Entirely funded by local resources, the dam embodies African unity and self-reliance.
Leaders hailed the project as a Pan-African achievement:
- William Ruto called it “a Pan-African statement of self-reliance.”
- Salva Kiir described it as “a symbol of unity, sacrifice, and determination.”
- Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized “shared resources, shared brotherhood.”
- Ismaïl Omar Guelleh called it “a great victory.”
- Mia Mottley compared it to “the Adwa of engineering,” linking it to Ethiopia’s historic 1896 victory.
Ethiopia’s $30 Billion Mega-Projects: A New Development Chapter
Beyond the GERD, PM Abiy announced a bold $30 billion development agenda, signaling Ethiopia’s ambition to become a regional leader in energy, aviation, and industrialization.
Key projects include:
- Nuclear Power Plant: Matching GERD’s scale, diversifying Ethiopia’s energy mix.
- Africa’s Largest Airport: New hub for Ethiopian Airlines, designed for 60 million passengers annually.
- Gas and Oil Investments: First gas factory set to launch, with a second “ten times larger” and Ethiopia’s first oil refinery in planning.
- Fertilizer Production: A new plant to support agriculture and cut imports.
- Housing for Citizens: 1.5 million homes planned in the next 5–6 years.
“After this triumph, we must gird ourselves for the difficult work that awaits us. I call on all of you to accelerate Ethiopia’s prosperity and to hasten its bright future,” declared Abiy.
GERD Revenues to Power Africa’s Future
The GERD will not only meet Ethiopia’s domestic electricity needs but also generate export revenues to fuel long-term projects. Officials underlined that energy security is the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economic renaissance enabling manufacturing, technology, and modern agriculture.
Regional and Continental Impact of the GERD
Though contested by downstream nations, Ethiopia positioned the GERD as a tool of shared prosperity and continental solidarity. By bringing together leaders from across Africa, the inauguration highlighted a collective vision of independence, unity, and growth.
For Ethiopia, this day was more than an inauguration it was a historic turning point, from poverty and dependence toward industrialization and African leadership.
As PM Abiy concluded:
“These achievements will make the children of Africa proud.”
By Emebet Asefa, Correspondent — Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia
