by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AFRICA is celebrating a landmark achievement following the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the continent’s largest hydropower facility and a symbol of African self-reliance.
Constructed without loans or aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or World Bank, the $4 billion mega-dam stands as a testament to the determination of Ethiopians, who pulled together resources locally to realize a decades-long dream.
Rising 632 meters with a storage capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, the GERD has the potential to generate more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity, positioning Ethiopia as Africa’s biggest electricity exporter.
A Continent Celebrates Ethiopia’s Feat
The inauguration drew a constellation of African leaders, among them Kenyan President William Ruto, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and representatives of global organizations also witnessed what many have hailed as a “continental turning point.”
President Ruto described GERD as “a bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources and shape its destiny.”
He added: “Funded entirely by the Ethiopian people, it is more than an infrastructure project; it is Africa’s largest hydropower facility, and a continental symbol of self-reliance and progress.”
Ruto announced that Kenya is ready to sign a power purchase agreement with Ethiopia to offtake surplus electricity for industries, ICT hubs, and agro-processing.
He underscored the broader lesson for Africa:
“No nation should be denied the chance to build such transformative assets. With time, they become shared sources of prosperity,” Ruto said.
A Historic Moment for Ethiopia
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his national address, praised the sacrifices of ordinary Ethiopians:
“Congratulations to all Ethiopians, both at home and abroad, as well as to our friends around the world, on the historic inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,” Ahmed stated.
Over the 14-year construction journey, Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora bought bonds, contributed salaries, and gave donations, making GERD not only an energy project but a collective act of national pride.
Regional Concerns and Diplomacy
Despite the celebration, GERD has not been without controversy. Downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, have long expressed concerns over how the dam might affect water flows from the Blue Nile.
Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 90 percent of its water needs, has at times accused Ethiopia of endangering its lifeline.
Sudan, while occasionally supportive, has also raised alarm over potential disruptions to irrigation and flood control.
Negotiations mediated under the African Union (AU) and supported by international actors have made progress but remain unresolved.
In his remarks, President Ruto urged Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to “continue pursuing trilateral talks in good faith,” stressing that “dialogue and compromise remain the surest path to a fair agreement that safeguards prosperity and stability for all.”
A Beacon of African Possibility
Across the continent, ordinary Africans hailed GERD as proof that Africa can finance and build transformative projects without dependency on foreign loans.
Zambian activist Joseph Kalimbwe noted: “It shows one thing; Africa can fund its own projects, Africa can build itself without Western loans.”
Others echoed that GERD should inspire similar citizen-driven efforts in infrastructure, railways, healthcare, and education.
For Ethiopia, GERD is not just a dam. It is a beacon of hope, a stabilising force for its national grid, and a source of billions in foreign exchange from electricity exports.
For Africa, it is a declaration that the continent’s future can be shaped on its own terms—through resilience, unity, and innovation.
– CAJ News