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Ethiopia is set to officially inaugurate the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam this week. Africa’s largest hydroelectric plant, is hailed as a national triumph and symbol of unity. However, but Egypt authorities see it as an “existential threat”.

Ethiopia outfoxes Egypt over the Nile's waters with its mighty dam

After outfoxing Egypt on the diplomatic stage for more than a decade, Ethiopia is set to officially inaugurate one of the world's biggest dams on a tributary of the River Nile, burying a colonial-era treaty that saw the UK guarantee the North African nation the lion's share of its water.

The dam - built on the Blue Nile at a cost of about $5bn (£3.7bn), with a reservoir roughly the size of Greater London - has led to a surge in Ethiopian nationalism, uniting a nation often polarised along ethnic lines and mired in conflict.

"Ethiopians may disagree on how to eat injera [their staple food], but they agree on the dam," Moses Chrispus Okello, an analyst with the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies think-tank, told the BBC.

"They do not see it as a pile of concrete in the middle of a river, but as a monument of their achievement because Ethiopians, both at home and in the diaspora, funded the dam's construction. There were waves and waves of appeals for contributions when construction started in 2011.

"The government also issued bonds that were bought by companies and workers. So, the sense that all Ethiopians own the dam has grown exponentially, and its inauguration is a source of great pride for the nation," Mr Okello said.

Named the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), it is Africa's largest hydro-electric plant, raising hopes that not only will it meet the 135 million-strong population's energy needs but it will also give the country "energy hegemony" and boost its foreign currency earnings, the analyst added.

Ethiopia was planning to increase the sale of electricity to neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Djibouti, with ambitions of building a transmission network to cross the Red Sea to sell to Middle Eastern states like Saudi Arabia, he said.

But for Egypt, the dam represents the opposite of Ethiopia's hopes and ambitions.

It fears that dam could sharply reduce the flow of water to the country, causing water shortages.

"About 93% of Egypt is desert, with almost no people. All of us, 107 million people, live on the Nile," a geologist at Egypt's Cairo University, Prof Abbas Sharaky, told the BBC.

"Egyptian civilisation was built on the Nile. The Nile is our life," he added.

The academic warns that "poverty of water" could worsen in Egypt because of the dam.

"It is storing 64 billion cubic metres, from water which usually flows to Egypt. This is a very big loss for us. Our average annual share is 55.5 billion cubic metres. We do not have any other source of water, but the Nile," Prof Sharaky said.

He added that the Gerd stores "about double the amount of water in the Three Gorges Dam in China, which is the biggest dam in the world in generating electricity".

A former negotiator for Ethiopia over the Gerd, Fekahmed Negash, told the BBC that despite enormous diplomatic pressure and even threats of war from Egypt, Ethiopia had stuck with its plan to build the dam because it was vital to its developmental needs.

This includes providing electricity to the estimated 60% of Ethiopians who do not have access to it, however he noted that this would not be easy as a transmission network would have to be built across the vast country with rocky and mountainous terrain.

SOURCE:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz71zndj001o

Ethiopia has officially inaugurated Africa's largest hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a $5 billion development on the Blue Nile that will supply power to millions and reshape regional dynamics.

The dam, which began partial operations in 2022, reached its full capacity of 5,150 MW on Tuesday, September 9, placing it among the 20 largest hydroelectric dams in the world. Ethiopia, with a population of over 120 million, sees the GERD as a cornerstone of its economic ambitions.



At the inauguration in Guba, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized that the project was built to bring prosperity, electrify the region, and change the history of black people. He assured Egypt and Sudan that the dam was “not to harm its brothers.”



The reservoir, which covers an area larger than Greater London, is expected to stabilize water flow for irrigation and reduce the risks of floods and drought.



Egypt, however, remains concerned that the GERD could threaten its vital Nile water supply, especially during droughts. With the Nile providing about 90% of its fresh water, Cairo has repeatedly called for legally binding agreements on the dam’s filling and operation. Sudan has echoed Egypt’s demands but also stands to benefit from better flood control and access to cheaper electricity.



Despite initial fears, independent studies suggest no significant disruptions to downstream water flow so far, thanks to cautious reservoir management and favorable rainfall.



The GERD has become a symbol of national pride in Ethiopia, uniting a country long divided by internal conflicts. Most of the funding — 91% — came from Ethiopia’s central bank, with the rest raised through bonds and contributions from citizens.


Ethiopia launches Africa

For locals, the impact is already visible. “We now have refrigerators. We can drink cold water. We use electricity for everything,” said Sultan Abdulahi Hassan, a farmer living near the dam.



While urban areas enjoy widespread electrification, rural Ethiopia still lags behind due to weak transmission infrastructure. The government hopes the GERD’s surplus energy will eventually close that gap and boost industries, including the growing bitcoin mining sector.[/b]

Since Seun's mod like BBNAIJA and Highways more. I am posting this.

APCNig:
Read the part that says the citizens contributed part of the project money

because it makes sensse and isnt being siphoned.

Thats our national grid capacity delivered in one blow.

This is what is called critical infrastructure that brings development and not sharing of Billions to entice voters thinking it can eradicate poverty

Is Ethiopia close to Nigeria?
Make man moove they go

Congratulations to Ethiopian, they have Leaders with nationalistic mindset.

This is impressive ,I'm happy this didn't become another African elephant project with plenty of stories even with Egypt breathing down their necks. And there's no white people in Ethiopia

Meanwhile, Tinubu has borrowed multiple folds of that sum for intangible and untraceable projects like "building the resilience of rural women".

This could have been nigeria through the mambilla water fall in taraba state.

As long as corruption thrives in this country, smaller African countries go continue to outshine us

While Nigerian govt are busy borrowing money for white elephant projects that would help them further loot the country silly. Sinking billions into infrastructures that are already in place.

Omihanifa:
This could have been nigeria through the mambilla water fall in taraba state.

As long as corruption thrives in this country, smaller African countries go continue to outshine us

What does the size of a country have to do with how well that country can perform ?

Just USD 5 billion.

If it were in my country Naija, this project would cost at least USD10 billion

Meanwhile, the same water in Nigeria is causing floods in our communities, and not a comparative advantage.

Watched on Al Jazeera yesternight and was amazed. Here na isekuse we dey do

Shior

richiemcgold:
Ethiopia is set to officially inaugurate the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam this week. Africa’s largest hydroelectric plant, is hailed as a national triumph and symbol of unity. However, but Egypt authorities see it as an “existential threat”.



SOURCE:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz71zndj001o

The dam of trouble. Egypt and Sudan are still fuming over that dam. I hope they don't exchange blows/bombs.

But good project.

Apart from the enormity of the project which lays claim to the usage of the Nile which pits them with EGYPT who.also has a project of such size, it shows that the sovereignty of countries can be tied to such projects that will lay solid foundations for generations unborn......

Our own is borrowing to use the money and pursue Sowore


🤣🤣🤣

NwokoloOwa:
Just USD 5 billion.

If it were in my country Naija, this project would cost at least USD10 billion

Ten billion is too small. More like A hundred billion dollars. Our thieving politicians have no limits when it comes to crookedness.

Faposky95:
Apart from the enormity of the project which lays claim to the usage of the Nile which pits them with EGYPT who.also has a project of such size, it shows that the sovereignty of countries can be tied to such projects that will lay solid foundations for generations unborn......

Egypt will have to work out a peaceful solution with Ethiopia. The Nile is important to both countries.

Ethiopia is a sellout, this isn’t what was discussed at the last AU meeting… how dare they go and implement a real structure. I thought we all agreed on paper infrastructure?!?!?

Jokes aside,
Ethiopia vs Nigeria

Biggest national airline in Africa vs scam Nigerian air

One of the most beautiful airports in Africa(IMO) second to Kenyatta international airport. Vs MMIA low on aesthetics.

One of the largest low-medium income housing in Africa vs eko Atlantic built for politicians with the people’s taxes.

Now owners of the biggest dam in Africa vs Band A, B, C, D Nigerian scam. Governors should provide electricity, but they aren’t now what?

My visit to Ethiopia is one for the memory books… from meskel flower to Edna cinema, Hyatt hotel, beautiful landscape in Addis, I can only wish them well.

greatiyk4u:
This is what is called critical infrastructure that brings development and not sharing of Billions to entice voters thinking it can eradicate poverty

More than 60 years Nigeria got independence, it's hard to understand what made the successive leaders of Nigeria not understand that uninterrupted electricity supply is the bedrock of a country's development.

ElSudani:
Egypt will have to work out a peaceful solution with Ethiopia. The Nile is important to both countries.

That is what it is about, something to leave in the lips of each country's citizens' lips.
What then do we brag about....our suffering and oppression from those we pay their salaries.....?!

Congratulations to Ethiopia.

Here we are still constructing swimming pools in hotels

I hope this flow of water they are holding won't affect the world later

Lionessza6:
This is impressive ,I'm happy this didn't become another African elephant project with plenty of stories even with Egypt breathing down their necks. And there's no white people in Ethiopia

Yeah, if it was South Africa they would've said "thanks to the whites" . SA investing in Grand Inga Dam in DRC so our turn is coming soon

Nigeria, where art thou?!
Meanwhile, the south africans on this thread are already crying, as usual.

Read the part that says the citizens contributed part of the project money

The rulers of Nigeria need to sit up! How can a country with so much potential and the capacity to rival great nations like the United States, China, and Germany be in such a terrible state—simply because its leaders are too corrupt, greedy, and selfish?

The Ajaokuta Steel Complex was supposed to be the backbone of industrial progress for Black Africa, yet it continues to rust away, abandoned and underutilized. Nigeria has the capacity to build—without depleting its reserves—four or five dams like the impressive one just constructed by Ethiopia. But, once again, corrupt politicians and leaders have stood in the way.

Nigeria has no excuse—we are blessed with everything. It’s a shame that the country has consistently failed to realize its full potential. However, the day Nigeria gets it right, Africa will become truly unstoppable.

Congratulations to the government and people of Ethiopia on this remarkable achievement. We are proud of them and join in celebrating this joyous occasion.

RandDigital:
Yeah, if it was South Africa they would've said "thanks to the whites" . SA investing in Grand Inga Dam in DRC so our turn is coming soon

Lol, you know them. That's why I mentioned that part to make them see that other African countries aren't sitting back making such outdated excuses, they're busy at work. Oh boy!. Now that's going to have a lot of nairalanders wishing us a second round of apartheid