Ethiopia has completed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and will inaugurate it in September, inviting Egypt, Sudan, and all Nile Basin nations. Ethiopia pledges the dam will benefit the entire region and not threaten downstream water flow.
Addis Ababa, July 2025 –
Ethiopia has announced the official completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, and set a September 2025 inauguration date.
The government is extending formal invitations to Egypt, Sudan, and all Nile Basin countries to attend the historic event, emphasizing that GERD is a symbol of regional cooperation and mutual benefit.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed confirmed in parliament that the GERD is now fully operational, with six turbines online and the dam generating significant power for Ethiopia and its neighbors.
“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is now complete, and we are preparing for its official inauguration,” Abiy stated, highlighting the dam’s role in transforming Ethiopia’s energy sector and supporting economic growth.
Ethiopia’s government has repeatedly reassured Egypt and Sudan that GERD will not threaten downstream water flows, referencing the continued operation of Egypt’s Aswan Dam as evidence that both projects can coexist.
“We are committed to ensuring that the dam benefits all Nile Basin countries,” Abiy said, inviting leaders from the region to join the September ribbon-cutting ceremony and to participate in ongoing dialogue about water management and energy cooperation.
With a generating capacity exceeding 5,000 megawatts, GERD is set to revolutionize Ethiopia’s electricity supply, nearly doubling national output and providing reliable power to millions.
The dam anchors Ethiopia’s ambition to become a regional energy hub, with transmission lines already connecting to Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti, and further plans to export electricity across East Africa.
This integration supports the Eastern Africa Power Pool, aiming to lower costs and boost energy security for the entire region.
Ministers from Nile Basin countries who visited the project in February applauded Ethiopia’s achievement, calling GERD a model for African self-sufficiency and economic transformation.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Environment, Beatrice Atim Anywar, noted, “GERD is not only serving Ethiopia but also benefits Egypt by conserving water that would otherwise flow into the ocean. It supplies power, boosts industrialization, and lifts people out of poverty.”
The completion of GERD comes after years of negotiation and tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over water rights and dam operations. Ethiopia has consistently maintained that the dam’s filling and operation will not harm downstream nations, and has invited Egypt and Sudan to participate in technical discussions and joint monitoring efforts.
Ethiopia’s government points to the 2015 Declaration of Principles, signed by all three countries, as the framework for cooperation and dispute resolution. “We want to move forward in a spirit of partnership,” Ethiopian officials said, reiterating their openness to dialogue and transparent data sharing.
The September inauguration of GERD is expected to mark a turning point for regional relations. By inviting all Nile Basin countries to celebrate the dam’s completion, Ethiopia is signaling a commitment to shared prosperity and peaceful cooperation.
As the region faces growing demand for energy and water security, GERD stands as a testament to what can be achieved through African innovation and partnership.
While some concerns remain in Cairo and Khartoum, Ethiopia’s message is clear: the Grand Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but an opportunity for all nations along the Nile to benefit from sustainable development and regional integration.
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