Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, on Tuesday (September 9), in Guba, Benishangul-Gumuz region.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior Ethiopian officials, alongside international dignitaries including Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti; Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan; Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia; William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya; Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini. Also present were the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu, religious leaders, and other high-ranking officials.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Abiy described the GERD as the biggest mega project in the history of the Black people and a turning point not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa, likening the inauguration to Ethiopia’s historic victory at Adwa. The prime minister emphasized that Ethiopia built the dam not to harm downstream countries but to prosper together, light up the region, and change the history of Black peoples.
The Prime Minister announced that the dam’s vast reservoir, named Nigat Lake (Dawn Lake), symbolizes Ethiopia’s awakening from deep poverty and darkness. He noted that the reservoir has already stored 74 billion cubic meters of water. Abiy also shared future plans, including a nuclear plant for peaceful purposes, the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, the opening of a gas plant and a petroleum refinery, a fertilizer factory, and the construction of 1.5 million houses within 5-6 years. He urged Ethiopians and Africans alike to brace for the heavy tasks ahead and unite to accelerate prosperity.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley praised Ethiopia’s achievement, stating that the GERD proves what is possible when nations work together. She called for unity and solidarity, underscoring that “we shall be the humanizing element that the world needs now more than ever,” while affirming the shared vision of one aim, one purpose, and one destiny.
Kenyan President William Ruto hailed the GERD as a historic achievement, not only for Ethiopia but for Africa. He described the project as a bold demonstration of African capacity to shape its destiny, manage resources, and deliver transformative infrastructure. He emphasized that the GERD is a pan-African statement aligned with the African Union’s vision of continental energy connectivity, and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation, energy integration, and Nile Basin dialogue based on equity and mutual respect.
Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh commended the GERD as an extraordinary African project that symbolizes victory for Ethiopia’s friends and neighbors. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud highlighted that the GERD will foster regional partnership and prosperity, stressing that all countries in the Horn of Africa can only thrive when they act as a community.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit congratulated Ethiopia on the achievement and emphasized the dam’s regional importance. “We believe that the progress of one nation is the progress of all,” he said, stressing that countries in the regionmust work together to turn challenges into opportunities for peace and stability. He further announced that South Sudan is looking forward to signing an agreement to receive power from the GERD.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission noted that the GERD is the result of decades of dedication and visionary leadership, adding that its core purpose of providing green energy will benefit both Ethiopia and its neighbors.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, built on the Abay River, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam with an installed capacity exceeding 5,000 megawatts. Constructed without international financing, it was funded largely by contributions from Ethiopians through bond purchases and donations. After 14 years of immense sacrifice, the GERD stands as a symbol of self-reliance and resilience.